On October 7, 2013, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe etched his name into franchise postseason lore when he hit a game-winning home run in Game 4 of the National League Division Series to defeat the Atlanta Braves.
The Dodgers went into the game with a 2-1 series lead and opted to start ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest instead of risking it going to a decisive Game 5 back in Atlanta.
Kershaw delivered with one of his best postseason performances, allowing just three hits and two runs (zero earned) in six innings to keep the Dodgers in the game. Los Angeles went into the bottom of the eighth inning trailing 3-2, but got their leadoff man aboard when Yasiel Puig doubled.
Uribe then stepped to the plate and attempted to bunt Puig over to third, although he was unsuccessful in two attempts. With a 2-2 count and Braves closer Craig Kimbrel watching in the bullpen, reliever David Carpenter threw Uribe a hanging breaking ball.
No longer bunting, Uribe took one of his biggest swings and launched the ball into the Dodgers bullpen for a two-run home run to give his team a 4-3 lead.
Kenley Jansen then came in and struck out the side to complete the victory, advancing the Dodgers to the NLCS for the first time since 2009.
The Dodgers went on to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in six games, but Uribe’s home run is one that will remain one of the greatest hits in franchise history for a long time to come.
When did Dodgers sign Juan Uribe?
The Dodgers signed Juan Uribe to a three-year, $21 million contract on November 30, 2010, with the intention of having him play second base.
Then prior to the 2014 season, the Dodgers re-signed Uribe to a two-year deal worth $15 million. However, he was traded to the Braves in May 2015 in order to make room for Justin Turner as the everyday third baseman.
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