LOS ANGELES — With one massive swing, Andy Pages introduced the momentum of the sport again to the Dodgers’ aspect. However what made it further particular was that he might dedicate it to his dad as a long-distance Father’s Day reward.
“It was a terrific collection win. Good crew over there. Nice to come back by means of in that second,” Pages stated by means of interpreter Juan Dorado. “Nevertheless it was a house run I hit for my dad, who I haven’t seen in a very long time.”
Pages final noticed his father, who lives in Cuba together with the remainder of his household, two years in the past. Earlier than that, he went seven years with out seeing his household as he labored towards his dream of sooner or later changing into a Main Leaguer.
Staying in contact from afar is not as troublesome because it was up to now. Pages tries to name his dad daily when he can, though generally electrical outages in Cuba make it arduous to achieve him that steadily.
Pages hoped to come up with him on Father’s Day.
“Hopefully I can discuss to him and inform him I devoted that dwelling run to him,” he stated.
Sunday’s collection finale towards the Giants had loads of drama earlier than the groups even took the sphere.
Minutes earlier than first pitch, information broke that scheduled Giants starter Kyle Harrison wouldn’t, actually, face the Dodgers on Sunday — as a result of he was being despatched to the Crimson Sox as a part of the return in a surprising blockbuster commerce for Rafael Devers.
Although the outcomes of the sport took a backseat to the information of the day, Pages was L.A.’s main offensive power within the win.
Pages knocked within the sport’s first run towards Sean Hjelle, who ended up beginning for San Francisco, on a sacrifice fly within the first. However his most impactful hack got here within the fifth, when he drove in Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts with a go-ahead shot to left-center off Giants reliever Ryan Walker.
It was Pages’ thirteenth homer of the season, matching his complete from 2024, his rookie season.
After his gradual begin to the season, he is made fairly the turnaround, hitting .321 with an .886 OPS since April 22. He may very well be an actual contender to make his first All-Star crew this 12 months.
“He is taking part in prefer it proper now, however that is as much as the followers,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “However he is taking part in All-Star baseball.”
For Pages, his potential All-Star case is not prime of thoughts. Particularly not on Sunday, when he was simply grateful to have a chance to honor his dad.
“He’s the one who helped me in my baseball profession, bought me to play baseball,” Pages stated. “It’s actually emotional, a particular second to hit a house run in that state of affairs, as a result of I haven’t seen him. It’s arduous generally. Nevertheless it was actually particular to hit a house run on Father’s Day.”
