There were no theatrics. No bat-licking or tongue or bat flipping. But Yasiel Puig did something Sunday in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs that he’d done only once before this season: He walked, and walked, and walked.
The only other time Puig walked three times in a game this season was Aug. 11 against the San Diego Padres.
Hitting seventh in the order in front of very part-time player Charlie Culberson and the pitcher’s spot, Puig didn’t see many good pitches from the Cubs one day after he hurt them with a double and home run.
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But he ended up hurting them with his patience. His third walk of the game led off the ninth inning and was followed three batters later by Justin Turner’s three-run home run that gave the Dodgers a 4-1 walk-off win and a 2-0 series lead.
“Yasiel is being so disciplined,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We talk about his energy, but we talk about his focus as well. He’s as focused as I’ve ever seen him.”
Corey Seager feeling ‘normal-ish’
Before the game, Roberts sounded an optimistic note about injured shortstop Corey Seager, who is recovering from a lower-back sprain that kept him off the team’s roster for the series.
“Well, Corey, in talking to him, he says he feels considerably better,” Roberts said before Sunday’s game. “He says he feels ‘normal-ish.’ That’s, I think, a good thing to hear.”
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Seager has still not been cleared to run or swing a bat. The Dodgers hope he can resume baseball activities this week.
Seager is not expected to travel with the team to Chicago for the games there this week. Roberts indicated that could change if Seager’s condition improves considerably.
In order to activate Seager during this series, the Dodgers would need to put another player on the disabled list because of an injury, one that would be closely inspected by the Cubs and Major League Baseball. The injured player would not be eligible to play in the World Series, if the Dodgers advance.
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It’ll cost him
There is freedom of speech in baseball, but it is not free. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he expected to be fined for the remarks he made after Game 1 on Saturday, when he launched into a passionate attack on the rule designed to eliminate collisions at the plate.
Catcher Willson Contreras made an artful play to block the plate and tag out Culberson, but the out was nullified and the Dodgers were given the run after replay officials concluded Contreras had not provided Culberson with a proper lane to the plate.
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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates after hiting a game-winning, three-run home run off Cubs pitcher John Lackey (41).
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner fist-bumps a fan as he heads to the clubhouse after hitting a three-run, game-winning homer off Cubs pitcher John Lackey with two outs in the ninth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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A jubilant Justin Turner celebrates with Dodgers teammate Yasiel Puig after hitting a walk-off, three-run homer.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times )
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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates with teammate Yasiel Puig (66) after after hitting a walk-off, three-run homer to beat the Cubs 4-1.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates his game-winning, three-run home run as he heads down the third-base line to home plate.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers Justin Turner hits a game-winning three-run home run against the Cubs.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodger players go crazy after Justin Turner hit a game-winning home run with two outs in the ninth inning against the Cubs.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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As Cubs pitcher John Lackey (41) walks off the filed, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) is swarmed by teammates at home plate after hitting a walk-off home run.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Justin Turner watches the ball sail over the fence for a walk-off, three-run homer to beat the Cubs 4-1.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Justin Turner heads up the first-base line as he watches his game-winning, three-run homer in Game 2.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers slugger Justin Turner reacts after his walk-off homer clears the center-field fence.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig uncoils after fouling off a pitch by Cubs reliver Carl Edwards Jr. during the sixth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Cubs reliever Brian Duensing drops the ball for an error while covering first base, allowing the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger to reach safely in the eighth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner releases his bat after flying out with a runner on base in the seventh inning.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers shortstop Charlie Culberson celebrates after hitting a double during the fifth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers shortstop Charlie Culberson is congratulated by Yasiel Puig after scoring on a single by Justin Turner during the fifth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill can’t watch as Cubs shortstop Addison Russell rounds third base after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger dives to tag first base for the put out against Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward during the fifth inning.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is tagged out by Cubs second baseman Javier Baez during a steal attempt in the fourth inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Cubs second baseman Javier Baez makes a leaning catch on a foul pop up by Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes during the fourth inning.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers shortstop Charlie Culberson takes the throw from catcher Austin Barnes as Cubs second baseman Javier Baez steals second base.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Cubs pitcher Jon Lester gets a high-inside pitch from Dodgers pitcher RIch Hill during the third inning.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig licks his bat in between pitches as he faces Cubs starter Jon Lester in the second inning.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) looks skyward after Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a deep fly ball to right center field in the first inning.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, right, makes a catch on a fly ball hit by the Cubs’ Kris Byrant in front of center fielder Chris Taylor during the first inning.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Cubs center fielder Albert Almora makes a leaping catch to steal a hit away from Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner during the first inning.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cubs in Game 2.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Dodgers outfielder Curtis Granderson takes batting practice before Game 2.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Fans file out of the club level toward field level seating to watch the Dodgers and Cubs in Game 2 of the NLCS.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Maddon previously spoke out against the rule, and he said he has been fined. He added that he did not regret giving an honest answer, rather than couching his disdain in generalities.
“For me to be disingenuous, I just couldn’t have slept,” Maddon said. “So I said what I thought, and I’ll accept the consequences.”
Plans for day off
The Dodgers will hold a light workout Monday at Dodger Stadium before flying to Chicago. The Cubs will not work out, after a five-day stretch in which the only day off involved a cross-country flight diverted for a medical emergency.
Maddon attracted national attention for the Cubs’ last day-off workout in Chicago, which featured brunch on the field and an NFL game on the big screen. This time, Maddon said, rest for his players would take precedence over a workout.
“I prefer the guys going back watching Monday Night Football in their own confines and not the Friendly Confines,” said Maddon, using the venerable nickname for Wrigley Field.
Short hops
Veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has not been with the Dodgers during the playoffs. “Adrian is just resting,” Roberts said. “He’s with his family, and he’s preparing for next spring training.” The Dodgers owe Gonzalez $22.4 million for 2018, but first base is now occupied by Cody Bellinger.
Times staff writer Mike Hiserman contributed to this report.
