Yadiel 'excited and happy' after walk-off HR

WASHINGTON -- Yadiel Hernandez didn’t come into Sunday afternoon’s game planning to hit a home run. He didn’t plan on hitting two, either, nor did he plan on belting a walk-off homer to lift the Nationals to a 6-5 win over the Cubs at Nationals Park.

“There’s moments where all you can do is you go out there looking for a particular pitch and take advantage of that pitch if you get it,” Hernandez said.

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That clear-cut approach led to a banner afternoon for the 33-year-old outfielder, who made his Major League debut last September. Hernandez connected for a career-high four hits in five at-bats, with three RBIs and two runs scored. He became the first MLB player to record four hits and a walk-off home run since Alex Verdugo on June 22, 2019, and the first Nationals player to do so since Elijah Dukes in 2008.

“From the first at-bat, he was on the ball really well today,” manager Dave Martinez said.

Hernandez entered the day with two homers and 10 RBIs in 60 games. He tallied his first RBI when he plated Josh Bell with a single to right field in the third inning. In the seventh, he smacked a solo home run to left that traveled a Statcast-projected 353 feet.

With the Nats and Cubs locked in a 5-5 tie, Hernandez capped his impressive performance by leading off the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off dinger 384 feet to left-center field. He fouled off four pitches before doing damage on Manuel Rodríguez’s 99.7 mph sinker.

“That was a good at-bat,” Martinez said. “He laid off some pretty good breaking balls in that at-bat as well. He got a ball that he could hit hard [and] stayed through it. His strength is hitting the ball the other way, and you saw him stay through the ball into left-center field. He had a good day.”

The Nationals rushed the field to celebrate Hernandez’s second career walk-off home run. His first came last season on Sept. 22, against the Phillies.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Hernandez said of his emotions right after the walk-off win. “I was very excited and happy to end the game, especially that way.”

After spending time with Triple-A Rochester and primarily pinch-hitting with Washington, Hernandez is embracing the chance for increased playing time. He has been tabbed to platoon in left field with Andrew Stevenson, based on matchups, following the trade of Kyle Schwarber to the Red Sox.

“It’s the only team I know, the only team that I’ve been with since I left Cuba,” Hernandez said of the Nationals. “I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given, and all I can do is give it my all out there.”

Hernandez hit .241/.299/.329 with 19 hits and two home runs in 79 at-bats (50 games) before the All-Star break. In the second half, he is slashing .550/.591/1.000 with 11 hits and two homers in 20 at-bats (11 games).

“I think the key is just the fact [that] I’m getting more playing time [and] more opportunities to see more pitches, get more at-bats,” he said. “The role as a pinch-hitter is very difficult. It’s a transition. I’ve had to make the adjustment, especially mentally, to prepare myself for the games. But lately, I’ve played two or three days in a row consistently. I feel like it’s making me more comfortable and more consistent at the plate.”

The first chapter of Hernandez’s Major League career began last season with his debut. Now he’s adding to the story in a team dynamic where there is a sudden influx of playing time.

“I’m proud of him,” Martinez said. “He’s been up and down. It’s been a long road to get to the Major Leagues, and he’s just having fun. Whenever he gets an opportunity, he does well.”