LOS ANGELES >> Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernandez did something on Monday that first basemen don’t often do.
With Matt Wieters bearing down the base line on a ground ball, and a throw arriving late from second baseman Chris Taylor, Hernandez managed to catch Taylor’s throw, turn, attempt a swipe-tag and practically do the splits while tagging first base with his back leg in the bat of an eye.
The play was aesthetically and athletically pleasing, an act of pure instinct. That Wieters was safe at first base — scored as an error on Taylor — seemed like an afterthought, if only because Wieters did not ultimately score.