Tommy Edman bails out Dodgers star Teoscar Hernández after bleak first inning mistake

While Los Angeles Dodgers star Teoscar Hernández's agent has certainly been feeling himself recently, he might want to exclude the first inning of NLCS Game 6 from the highlight reel he sends to his client's potential suitors this offseason.

Hernández, dominating on a one-year contract in LA this season, has represented one of the more surprising big bats along the Dodgers' 2024 path to the precipice of the World Series. But in his first appearance of Game 6 against a hungry New York Mets team, he committed a cardinal sin.

With a runner on and one out, Hernández stroked a hard liner to dead center field off Sean Manaea. It looked like it could sneak out. To Hernández, though, it looked like such a definite goner that he broke into a ball-watching jog, unable to turn on the jets and reach second base.

If the Mets induced a double play ball -- normal with sidewinding Sean Manaea on the mound -- it would've been curtains for Hernández, who would've worn the early goat horns.

No matter, though. The game's next batter, Tommy Edman, waited back on a changeup and looped it down the left field line. Hernández, decidedly hustling now, scored easily from first base to give the Dodgers a much-needed 2-1 lead.

Dodgers possible NLCS MVP Tommy Edman drives in two runs, picks up Teoscar Hernández in Game 6 against the New York Mets

If he hadn't scored, we could've added this moment to an unfortunate list that began with Shohei Ohtani in Game 5.

Edman represents a far unlikelier hero than Hernández. The hulking No. 3 hitter was in the heart of the Dodgers' order all year striking fear into LA's opponents. Edman, acquired on a trade deadline whim, missed the entire first half in St. Louis with foot troubles. Would he be able to hit when he returned? Would his trademark versatility be dinged by his deficient lower body? So far, he hasn't skipped a beat; Edman's hit .435 in the NLCS through his first at-bat of Game 6, a massive step up from a .237 mark with the Dodgers in the regular season.

Both Edman and Hernández have been primetime performers this fall. If the Dodgers' good vibes are going to continue, though, Hernández will have to treat every remaining at-bat like a make-or-break opportunity. Just ask his agent.