{
  "id": 12547963,
  "title": "Kiké Hernández plays October hero again, lifting Dodgers to crucial NLDS win",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/kike-hernandez-plays-october-hero-again-lifting-dodgers-to-crucial",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T04:31:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kik-hern-ndez-plays-october-043136166.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Every October, the same question arises about Kiké Hernández. He seems to provide a different answer each time. Sometimes, it's a simple joke like \"I like Halloween,\" while on other occasions, he admits his brain is all over the place. However, the common thread is his focus and fearlessness in high-pressure situations.\n\nIn Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday night, Hernández once again delivered a playoff heroics. The Dodgers inserted him into the starting lineup against Chris Sale with the series tied at one game apiece. As usual, Hernández came through, hitting a two-run homer in the fourth inning for a 3-1 win at Truist Park.\n\nHernández takes pride in his playoff performances, but doesn't think too much about them once his career is over. This season, the 35-year-old played in just 41 regular season games due to injury, but the Dodgers had a surplus of at-bats for players like him. Despite hitting only .222, he has a history of stepping up when needed in the postseason.\n\nSince rejoining the Dodgers in 2023, Hernández has become known for his clutch playoff performances. He has hit three home runs in the pennant-clinching game, pinch-hit a game-tying blast, and hit a go-ahead shot in a crucial game. His ability to lock in and perform in high-stakes situations is what sets him apart.",
  "summary": "Once again, the Dodgers called upon Kiké Hernández in the playoffs. Once again, he delivered with a decisive swing in Game 3 of the NLDS.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Yamamoto is dominant again as Dodgers ride homers from Hernández and Freeman to 3-1 win over Braves",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/yamamoto-is-dominant-again-as-dodgers-ride-homers-from-hernandez-and-12516186",
        "published": "2026-10-07T01:24:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Yamamoto is dominant again as Dodgers ride homers from Hernández and Freeman to 3-1 win over Braves",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/yamamoto-is-dominant-again-as-dodgers-ride-homers-from-hernandez-and",
        "published": "2026-10-07T01:32:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Yamamoto is dominant again as Dodgers ride homers from Hernandez and Freeman to 3-1 win over Braves",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/yamamoto-is-dominant-again-as-dodgers-ride-homers-from-hernandez-and-12519274",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:02:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}