The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a narrow victory over the Kansas City Royals in the series opener, but Dustin May’s costly defensive mistake combined with Teoscar Hernández’s fielding errors nearly cost the team the game. The critical plays unfolded on April 8 during a tense matchup at Dodger Stadium, highlighting ongoing defensive concerns for the Dodgers.

Key Defensive Errors Influence Early Inning

The Dodgers’ defense played a pivotal yet mixed role in their win, with Freddie Freeman making a crucial save while Hernández’s struggles in right field caused costly damage. In the second inning, Kyle Isbel hit a liner toward right field that Hernández initially appeared to track but failed to catch, allowing the ball to sail over his head for an RBI double. Hernández later acknowledged his error, expressing regret about missing the play that shifted momentum early in the game.

“Yeah, I should have had that one,” Hernandez said. “I thought I had it then, ‘Oh, (shoot).’ It kept going over my head. I should have made that play.”

—Teoscar Hernández, Outfielder

This miscue didn’t immediately result in a run, as the opposing team could have scored on a sacrifice fly afterward. However, May’s subsequent strikeout of Jonathan India, which should have ended the inning, instead gave Bobby Witt Jr. the opportunity to bat. Witt then hit a two-run homer, turning Hernández’s mistake into a critical moment that cost the Dodgers two runs.

Dustin May’s Challenging Performance on the Mound

While Hernández’s defensive errors were costly, May delivered one of his weakest outings this season, lasting only four innings. He allowed four runs on six hits, walking three batters and striking out three. Despite these struggles, the Dodgers managed to hold onto a 5-4 lead by the final out, largely due to their resilient offense and moments of solid defense from players like Freddie Freeman.

Ongoing Defensive Concerns Surround Teoscar Hernández

The problems that Hernández displayed in this game are not isolated incidents. He also dropped two additional catches that should have been made, continuing a troubling trend in his defense this year. According to defensive metrics, Hernández ranks as the second-worst outfielder in Major League Baseball this season, with a -8 outs above average rating, which reflects his below-average ability to prevent runs.

Despite an expected catch rate of 89%, Hernández has only successfully caught 85% of those balls, leading to seven runs charged against him defensively. This decline from last season, when Hernández logged a -9 outs above average rating while playing left field at the second percentile, is notable. This season, his defense is even worse, placing him in the first percentile compared to all major league defenders, meaning 99% of outfielders perform better defensively than he does.

Implications for the Dodgers Moving Forward

The Dodgers’ narrow win showcases the team’s resilience but also underscores how Dustin May’s costly defensive mistake, compounded by Hernández’s ongoing lapses, could jeopardize future games. Defensive reliability remains a pressing issue, particularly given the high stakes of the regular season. With their victory hanging by a thread, Los Angeles will need to address these weaknesses if they hope to maintain consistency and advance in a competitive league.