LOS ANGELES -- Yasiel Puig was crouched in right field in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday night. His head was down. He just threw a missile from right field to try to beat the runner -- Marlins first baseman Garrett Jones -- from scoring.
The throw, although impressive, was slightly off target and the Marlins got on the board with their first run of the game.
It was non-consequential in the Dodgers' 7-1 win, but for Puig it meant something. It was his bobblehead night. His mom was in attendance and threw out the first pitch. He wanted to make a splash.
The crowd in right field certainly appreciated his effort, giving him a rousing ovation. Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly was appreciative as well.
"He wanted to make that throw," Mattingly said. "Nobody else even tries to make that throw, really, and the fact that it was that close was incredible.
"To me, Yasiel's just growing up right in front of our eyes, just getting better and better all the time."
One year ago, you didn't know his name. Tonight, the ride continued on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium: pic.twitter.com/Zui3DBS5mc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 14, 2014
Added Puig through a translator: "I did the best I could. Obviously, it didn't reach home plate so it didn't reach my goal but they only got a run in, so not so bad."
That about sums up the night -- just one run for the Marlins coming in the top of the seventh inning and on the heels of the Dodgers' offensive barrage in the bottom of the sixth.
Puig was very much a part of that as well. He drew a walk and scored on a Hanley Ramirez two-run double. It was a five-run inning for the Dodgers, who provided starter Josh Beckett with more than enough runs to secure his first win in 15 starts. It was Beckett's first win since Sept. 30.
"Last year I didn't pitch good enough to win in the starts I did make," said Beckett, who made just eight starts in 2013. "I've faired a little bit better this year. I got some no decisions but that's just the way things go."
Beckett, who improved to 1-1 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.38, received plenty of congratulatory praises from his teammates inside the Dodgers clubhouse who were well aware of the streak.
Offensively, it was a well-rounded night with the team scoring seven runs on 12 hits. Each starter had a hit including Beckett, who had an infield single in the third.
On his bobblehead night, Puig had two of the team's 12 hits, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games. On the night he was 2-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk and a run scored.
Take it away, @yasielpuig. #ITFDB https://t.co/efHRXvzA0K
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 14, 2014
In the field, he leaped backwards to make a catch on a ball hit over his head before falling on his wallet in the first inning.
It was impressive considering he appeared to make a bad read on the play. Less impressive was what he felt about his bobblehead.
