Palo Alto High grad Joc Pederson had the biggest moments on Monday night as the host Los Angeles Dodgers finally won in their fourth try against the Giants this season, 8-3.
Pederson, the Dodgers’ 23-year-old center fielder, drove in two runs — with a home run and a double — scored twice and took an extra-base hit and RBI away from Angel Pagan with a spectacular catch in the first inning that turned into a double play.
Pederson led off the sixth inning by homering to right field off reliever George Kontos on a 1-2 slider for a 5-3 LA lead. It was Pederson’s third homer this season.
“He made a great play in the first,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said to Earl Bloom of MLB.com. “Then the double, the home run, even the walk late (in the eighth inning). It’s tough for a young player to take a 3-2 pitch sometimes.”
Justin Turner gave the Dodgers breathing room in the eighth by following Pederson’s walk with a pinch-hit, three-run home run.
“I’m still missing some pitches,” said Pederson, who went 2-for-3 and raised his average to .296. “It’s a long process . . . build it, brick by brick.”
When Pederson robbed Pagan, he turned what looked like a sure hit into two outs after a running, over-the-shoulder catch in left-center. He then doubled off the Giants Nori Aoki, running from first base after a leadoff single.
Pederson followed his great catch by lining an RBI double to right field off Tim Lincecum in the Dodgers’ four-run third inning.
By Palo Alto Online Sports/MLB.com
By Palo Alto Online Sports/MLB.com
By Palo Alto Online Sports/MLB.com
We love watching the Giants and it was exciting to hear the positive comments from our announcers (Kruk & Kuip) about Joc.
Congratulations to Joc and all thoses teammates and coaches that helped build such a talented athlete. Our family looks to a long career for Joc and great baseball.
Can we PLEASE stop with the Joc Pederson love here?
Let us also remember that Brandon Crawford was born in Mountain View. Yet, no coverage from the Weekly…
Joc moved to leadoff and led off tonight with another homer, his 4th and he is hitting .298.
Some of us (including our family) had kids coached by Joc’s dad Stu.
Congratulations to Stu and Joc.