The Los Angeles Dodgers struck first in their National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 5-3 win in Saturday’s Game 1 thanks in large part to Teoscar Hernández’s three-run homer in the seventh that generated plenty of discussion in the aftermath thanks to Andy Pages’ behavior on second base.
Pages raised his right arm multiple times as a runner on second during Hernández’s at-bat, which led to speculation he was relaying signals.
However, the Dodgers outfielder denied he was relaying signals, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. He may have just been motioning that Phillies catcher J. T. Realmuto was setting up inside for the incoming pitch.
Philadelphia pitcher Matt Strahm, who gave up the game-swinging home run, also dismissed the suggestion Pages was relaying signals and questioned whether the runner could have even seen his pitch grip from second base.
“If he can see that …” Strahm said, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
It was a disappointing turn of events for Strahm, who entered the game with two runners on and nobody out and retired the dangerous Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Had he gotten Hernández out, it would have been an incredible escape against a dominant part of Los Angeles’ lineup.
Instead, the Dodgers now lead the series 1-0 and stole home-field advantage in the process.
“I got gut punched on missing two pitches,” Strahm said.
There may be some controversy coming out of the first game, but players on both sides dismissed the notion Pages was relaying signals. That means it likely won’t be a major storyline going into Monday’s Game 2 as the Phillies attempt to pull even in the series.
