Teoscar Hernández extends the Dodgers’ advantage over the Nationals with a two-run home run.

In the long grind of a Major League Baseball season, there are moments when a single swing can alter the trajectory of a game, provide breathing room, or send a jolt of energy through the dugout. On Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, Teoscar Hernández delivered one of those moments—a towering two-run home run that extended the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lead over the Washington Nationals and put a definitive stamp on an already dominant showing.

It wasn’t just a home run—it was a message. A reminder to the rest of the league that this Dodgers team, brimming with talent from top to bottom, can beat you in more ways than one. While Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani have dominated headlines, it was Hernández’s blast that served as the exclamation point on a crisp night in Southern California.

Let’s break down the full impact of the swing, what it means for Hernández, and why the Dodgers continue to look like the class of the National League.

The Moment It Happened

With the Dodgers already holding a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Nationals turned to their bullpen, hoping to keep the game within striking distance. On the mound stood Robert Garcia, a left-handed reliever brought in to face a section of the Dodgers lineup that included James Outman and Teoscar Hernández.

After Outman worked a walk, Hernández stepped to the plate with a clear opportunity to do damage—and he didn’t waste it.

On a 2-1 count, Garcia left a fastball up in the zone, and Hernández jumped all over it. With a smooth, powerful swing, he sent the ball soaring into the Los Angeles night. The crack of the bat left no doubt. The ball sailed deep into the left-field pavilion, igniting the Dodger faithful as the scoreboard changed from 3-1 to 5-1.

It wasn’t just a clutch moment. It was the type of blast that reminded fans and scouts alike why Hernández was such a critical offseason addition.

Statcast Breakdown: Raw Power on Display

According to Statcast, Hernández’s home run traveled an estimated 426 feet and left the bat at a sizzling 110.7 mph. It was his fifth homer of the young 2025 season, and perhaps the most important one yet, as it created the kind of breathing room that can change the complexion of a ballgame.

The launch angle was a near-perfect 26 degrees, and the exit velocity was in the top five percent of all home runs hit this season. It’s the kind of metrics that confirm what the eye test already told fans: this wasn’t a wall-scraper or a lucky fly ball. This was pure, unfiltered power.

Hernández has been showcasing that kind of strength his entire career. A former All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays, he’s built a reputation as a consistent run producer with game-changing pop. Wednesday night was another reminder of that reputation—and another reason why the Dodgers invested in him.

Teoscar’s Impact in the Lineup

While Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman often garner the headlines—and rightfully so—Teoscar Hernández has quietly become one of the Dodgers’ most important contributors. Batting behind the team’s trio of superstars (Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman), Hernández often finds himself in prime run-producing situations.

In fact, through the first few weeks of the season, Hernández has emerged as a stabilizing presence in the heart of the order. His approach, honed over nine MLB seasons, has been invaluable for a Dodgers squad trying to blend veteran experience with championship expectations.

After the game, manager Dave Roberts spoke glowingly about his outfielder:

“That was a big-time swing,” Roberts said. “Teo has been huge for us all year. We talk about depth in the lineup, and that’s what it looks like—having someone like him come through in those moments. It gives us flexibility and firepower.”

Hernández, never one to boast, was modest in his postgame comments.

“Just trying to be aggressive in the zone,” he said. “I got a pitch I could handle and made good contact. We’ve got a lot of guys who can do damage, so I just want to do my part.”

Dodgers’ Offense Firing on All Cylinders

Hernández’s homer was part of a larger offensive effort that continues to overwhelm opposing pitching staffs. With All-Stars stacked throughout the lineup, the Dodgers lead the National League in runs scored and home runs. On any given night, it could be Betts setting the tone, Ohtani dazzling with a multi-hit performance, or Freeman spraying doubles all over the field.

But what separates this year’s Dodgers from previous iterations is their depth—and Teoscar Hernández is a perfect example.

Through 15 games, Hernández is slashing .289/.345/.553 with 5 homers and 14 RBIs. He’s hitting both lefties and righties with authority and playing solid defense in right field. His presence has allowed the Dodgers to be more versatile and less predictable in their offensive approach.

With a balanced lineup that stretches from top to bottom, opposing pitchers are constantly under pressure, and Hernández’s ability to capitalize on middle-of-the-order matchups has made him a lethal weapon.

Pitching Backing Up the Offensive Surge

While the offense has certainly been eye-catching, the Dodgers’ pitching staff continues to do its job with quiet excellence. On Wednesday night, Walker Buehler made his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery and looked sharp, holding the Nationals to one run over five innings.

The bullpen followed with scoreless innings from Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and Daniel Hudson to close things out. But it was Hernández’s homer that gave the Dodgers the cushion they needed to rest some of their arms.

Dodgers fans know that October baseball is won on pitching depth and timely hitting. So far, they’re seeing both come together.

Nationals Show Promise Despite the Loss

To their credit, the Nationals showed flashes of potential throughout the game. CJ Abrams collected two hits and scored their lone run, while top prospect James Wood made a dazzling catch in center field to rob Freeman of extra bases.

But Washington’s bullpen, a weak point all season, simply couldn’t hold the line. García’s misplaced fastball to Hernández was emblematic of a broader issue for the Nationals—struggles in high-leverage moments.

Still, manager Dave Martinez remained optimistic:

“We’ve got a young team, and they’re going to learn from nights like this,” he said. “Hernández got us with a big swing, but I like the fight I’m seeing from our guys.”

Dodgers Continue to Set the Standard

As the Dodgers improve to 11-4 on the season, they sit comfortably atop the National League West, once again establishing themselves as World Series contenders. The front office’s decision to add veterans like Teoscar Hernández is paying early dividends, and the mix of youth and experience is clicking at every level.

With Ohtani yet to pitch and the pitching staff still rounding into form, it’s scary to think how much better this team could get.

Dodger Stadium was electric on Wednesday night—not just because of the win, but because of how it happened. With the crack of Teoscar Hernández’s bat, a reminder echoed across Chavez Ravine: this team is deep, dangerous, and determined.

What’s Next for Hernández and the Dodgers

Looking ahead, the Dodgers will continue their homestand with a series against the San Diego Padres, a team that has traditionally played them tough. But with Hernández heating up and the offense locked in, they’ll enter that series with plenty of momentum.

Hernández, meanwhile, continues to solidify his spot as one of the most impactful offseason acquisitions in baseball. If he maintains this pace, he could be in line for his second career All-Star selection and, more importantly, a deep postseason run with a legitimate title contender.

The Dodgers didn’t need Teoscar Hernández to be their main guy. But with swings like the one he unleashed on Wednesday, he’s becoming one of their most dangerous weapons.

And in a season filled with expectations and bright lights, that kind of quiet dominance could be the difference between a good team—and a championship one.

In a league where margins are thin and every at-bat counts, the Dodgers are proving that stars win games—but depth wins seasons. Teoscar Hernández may not always be the headline act, but with a bat like his, he doesn’t need to be.

One swing changed the game. One moment extended the lead. And one player reminded the baseball world that the Dodgers are still the team to beat.