Hernández's Homer, Sheehan's 10 Ks Power Dodgers to 6-3 Win
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their winning streak alive with a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, powered by a pivotal three-run homer from Teoscar Hernández and a dominant outing from Emmet Sheehan, who matched a career high with 10 strikeouts in his return to the big leagues.
Sheehan, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day after struggling on the mound earlier this season, turned in his best performance in months. The right-hander allowed just one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out batters with a sharp mix of fastballs and breaking pitches. It was his first major league start since August 2, and he showed the form that made him a promising arm in the Dodgers' system.
The Dodgers' offense was quiet for the first four innings, with Reds starter Chase Burns tossing three hitless frames before departing as part of Cincinnati's workload-management plan. Burns struck out five and left with the game scoreless. Los Angeles didn't get its first hit until Hernández singled off reliever Brandon Williamson to lead off the fifth. Alex Call was hit by a pitch with two outs, and a throwing error by third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes allowed both runners to score, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
Cincinnati answered in the top of the sixth when Elly De La Cruz crushed a solo home run to center field, his third straight game with a homer. The 24-year-old switch-hitter now has 24 homers this season, one short of his own club record for switch-hitters set in 2024. The Reds loaded the bases later in the inning against Sheehan after Carlos Jorge singled for his first major league hit. With two outs, manager Dave Roberts turned to Alex Vesia, who froze JJ Bleday with a called third strike to end the threat. Sheehan enthusiastically embraced Vesia in the dugout.
In the bottom of the sixth, Hernández delivered the decisive blow. Facing Williamson again, he crushed a 1-0 pitch deep into the left-field seats, scoring Gavin Lux and Kevin Kiermaier to extend the lead to 5-1. It was Hernández's 28th homer of the season and provided a comfortable cushion for the Dodgers' bullpen.
Eugenio Suárez cut the lead to 5-3 in the seventh with a solo home run to center, his second of the night. The Reds added another run in the eighth on a pinch-hit RBI groundout by Dane Myers against reliever Jack Dreyer. But Los Angeles answered in the bottom half when pinch-hitter Will Smith lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in an insurance run.
Evan Phillips, who had not recorded a save since May 2, 2025, came on in the ninth and retired the Reds in order, securing the victory. The Dodgers won despite being outhit 7-3, marking only the second time in franchise history they scored six or more runs on just three hits.
Shohei Ohtani returned to the lineup after a four-day break to heal lingering injuries, but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk. Despite the quiet night, the Dodgers' depth proved enough to cool off a Reds team that had been rolling with series wins over the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
With the win, the Dodgers improved to 5-0 in their current stretch. The two teams will meet again Tuesday night, with Cincinnati sending left-hander Nick Lodolo (3-3, 5.08 ERA) against Los Angeles lefty Tarik Skubal (8-7, 2.86).
Article commentary
Monday night's game at Dodger Stadium offered a microcosm of the Los Angeles Dodgers' season: a blend of strong pitching, timely power, and the ability to win even when their biggest star is not at his best. Emmet Sheehan's performance, in particular, stands out as a significant development for a team that has been navigating a patchwork rotation. After being sent to Triple-A following a rough stretch, Sheehan returned with a career-high-tying 10 strikeouts in just 5 2/3 innings. His command and swing-and-miss stuff were reminiscent of his early promise, and the Dodgers will need that consistency down the stretch. The fact that he was able to work through a bases-loaded jam in the sixth, with help from Alex Vesia, shows a growing maturity. Teoscar Hernández continues to be a reliable run producer in the middle of the lineup. His three-run homer was the game's biggest swing, and it came at a moment when the Reds had just cut the lead to one. Hernández's ability to drive in runs has been crucial for a Dodgers team that has seen its share of injuries and inconsistent production from other spots. His 28 homers this season put him among the league leaders, and he has become a steadying force in the lineup. Shohei Ohtani's return from a four-day break was uneventful, but it's worth noting that the team is managing his workload carefully. Ohtani has been dealing with multiple lingering injuries, and the Dodgers' depth allows them to give him time off without collapsing. That luxury is not available to many teams, and it underscores the organization's strength in building a roster that can absorb the absence of a superstar. On the other side, the Cincinnati Reds showed fight but were undone by defensive miscues and an inability to cash in when they had runners on base. The throwing error by Ke'Bryan Hayes that led to two runs in the fifth inning was a critical mistake. Against a team like the Dodgers, those errors are magnified. Elly De La Cruz continues to be a dynamic force, homering in three straight games, and Eugenio Suárez provided power as well, but the Reds' bullpen, particularly Brandon Williamson, couldn't hold the line. Williamson allowed the key hits and walks that turned the game. Cincinnati's decision to limit Chase Burns to three innings as part of a workload management plan is understandable given his age and workload, but it also put pressure on the bullpen early. The Reds have been playing well lately, taking series from contenders, but they'll need to tighten their defense and bullpen execution to keep pace with the Dodgers in the upcoming six games over the next 11 days. From a strategic standpoint, the Dodgers' willingness to use a reliever like Alex Vesia in a high-leverage spot in the sixth inning—even though the game was still close—shows their aggressive approach to matchups. It paid off, and it allowed Sheehan to leave with a positive outing. Evan Phillips, finally getting save opportunities again, looked sharp in the ninth. For a team that has had its share of bullpen ups and downs, having Phillips back in form is a welcome sign. Overall, this game highlighted the Dodgers' resilience and depth. They are not just a team powered by Ohtani; they have arms like Sheehan, bats like Hernández, and a bullpen that can be trusted. The Reds, while competitive, still have gaps that need to be addressed if they hope to make a playoff push. The next week will be telling for both clubs.