Kike Hernandez Draws 7,976-Strong Ovation at Isotopes Park
kike hernandez got more than a routine rehab-at-bat Tuesday night. His first plate appearance inside Isotopes Park drew a roaring ovation from an announced crowd of 7,976, and the Dodgers player said Wednesday he was "A little bit shocked. Slightly embarrassed, but good," by the reception.
Isotopes Park Greets Hernandez
Francina Walker introduced the 34-year-old Dodger batting second for the Oklahoma City Comets, and Hernandez said he had no idea so many Dodgers fans would show up in Albuquerque. "No," he said when asked whether he expected that kind of response. "First time here. I had no clue. I didn't even know what to expect. All I knew about Albuquerque was that it was a really high elevation."
The reaction came during Hernandez's first trip to Isotopes Park, despite his 113 Pacific Coast League games in parts of four seasons. Albuquerque's strong Dodgers support helped make the reception different from a standard rehab stop, and it came with another Dodgers World Series champion, Brusdar Graterol, also on assignment with the Comets that week.
Hernandez Rebuilds At The Plate
The ovation arrived while Hernandez was only a week into the playing part of his rehabilitation from November tendon surgery in his left elbow, his fourth surgery. He said, "I mean, it's basically still like the first week of spring training for me, so as far as my elbow and my health, I feel good," and added, "Still trying to get ready, getting my rhythm and have my body feel good enough to play a full game, trying to get timing and all that at the plate."
He did not provide the kind of box score rebound he will want next. Hernandez went 0-for-6 in Albuquerque, going 0-for-3 in each game as the Comets lost 2-1 in 10 innings on Tuesday and 8-2 on Wednesday. Through five games with Oklahoma City, he was hitting.133.
Albuquerque Stays In Front
The two wins moved Albuquerque to 25-16 and gave the Isotopes a 3.0-game lead over Sacramento in the PCL standings. That is a stronger cushion than the club had managed at any point in a season since 2012.
For Hernandez, the night at Isotopes Park turned into a rare rehab assignment moment where the crowd response mattered as much as the innings and at-bats. He walked in expecting a simple first visit and left with the kind of reception that made the stop stand out before the bat did.
