Zach McKinstry stepped up in the eighth inning with the game tied at four, two outs, and no career home runs to his name. The young Dodger had just entered the game as a defensive sub. On a 1-1 count, he launched a fly ball to left. Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia tracked it, got his glove on it over the wall, but couldn’t hold on. The ball ricocheted off his glove and back into the field. Tapia thought the ball had cleared the fence, casually stood there as McKinstry rounded the bases. Fans tried to alert him but by the time he realized it, McKinstry was on his way to scoring. It wasn’t your standard home run trot, but it counted.
McKinstry’s teammates met him in the dugout with smiles, and it was clear the rookie was hyped. A first career home run, a go-ahead shot late in a close game, and a bizarre highlight all in one swing. Tapia had a great jump and almost made a big play, but came away frustrated. Trainers checked him just in case, but he stayed in. McKinstry’s expression after said it all — weird play, weird bounce, but a home run is a home run.