The baseball splashed at the feet of Giants outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, and the Dodgers dugout erupted. They would not win this baseball game, a 4-0 defeat to the Giants, but at least they would not be embarrassed. A two-out single in the ninth inning by Corey Seager scotched a no-hit bit by San Francisco pitcher Matt Moore and allowed a moribund club a moment to rejoice.
Before Seager flicked a single into right, a prophecy appeared ready to fulfill itself. Unnerved by the pregame departure of catcher A.