MiLB Player of the Day: Sammy Hernndez

THE CARDINAL CHRONICLE
Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day: Sammy Hernandez Walks It Off for Peoria
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Sammy Hernandez did not have the biggest stat line in the system Friday night, but he had the biggest swing.

Hernandez is the Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day after hitting a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Peoria an 8-6 win over Quad Cities at Dozer Park.

His final line:

1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, SB

That is how you own the moment.

Peoria had carried a 6-2 lead into the ninth before Quad Cities scored four runs to tie the game. The Chiefs could have let the night slip away. Instead, Hernandez came to the plate in the bottom half and ended it with one swing.

The home run was his ninth of the season, and the two RBIs pushed him to 28. He also scored twice, drew a walk and stole his 15th base, giving Peoria power, patience and speed in the same game.

It was a big answer for a Chiefs team that had dropped three straight after a six-game winning streak. Peoria needed something to stop the skid, and Hernandez delivered it in the loudest way possible.

The Chiefs had more offense around him. Jalin Flores hit his 14th home run of the season and drove in his 68th run. Tristan Bissetta hit his first home run with Peoria and drove in his first run. Ian Petrutz went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Michael Dattalo added two hits, including a double, and scored twice.

But Friday night belonged to Hernandez.

He gave Peoria the lead early enough to matter, then gave them the win when it mattered most.

Memphis lost.
Springfield lost.
Palm Beach lost.

Peoria was the only full-season affiliate to win, and Sammy Hernandez made sure of it.

A walk-off homer.
Two RBIs.
Two runs scored.
A stolen base.
And the only win in the system.

That earns the spotlight.

Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day:
Sammy Hernandez, 1B/C, Peoria Chiefs
Final Line: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, SB

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Sammy Hernandez, Peoria Chiefs | MLB