9/19/14: Yasiel Puig pads the Dodgers’ lead with a long drive that leaves Wrigley Field and lands out on Waveland Avenue
Eventually, though, there came a point when Mattingly had to take the training wheels off.
“When we were getting close to [playing] San Francisco, we really just decided we’re a better team when this guy’s going,” Mattingly said Monday. “And then just throwing him in the two-hole and saying, ‘Let’s go.’ Trying to put our lineup back together.”
Since that series in San Francisco from Sept. 12-14, Puig has played every day, batting .419/.479/.651 with two home runs and six RBIs in 10 games, entering Monday’s rematch with the Giants.
In the 33 games prior to that, dating back to Aug. 1, Puig batted .203/.295/.228 with no home runs and five RBIs.
“I feel like he’s turned the corner, honestly,” Mattingly said.
On Monday, in the first game of a three-game series with the Giants that could decide the National League West, Puig was starting once again in the two-hole.
Michael Lananna is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
