Amazing catch knocks Joc out of 2-HR game

LOS ANGELES -- In five innings of a Labor Day marathon, Joc Pederson had the wind knocked out of him after he knocked the wind out of the sails of the Rockies in the Dodgers’ 16-9 win at Dodger Stadium.

Pederson, who homered in the 11th inning to win Sunday’s game in Arizona, homered twice on Monday, missed a third by inches and stole a home run from Charlie Blackmon as he slammed into the box-seat railing next to the visitors' bullpen.

“If that ball goes out of the ballpark,” said manager Dave Roberts, “we’re looking at a different ballgame. Defensively, he’s doing really good things out there.”

Pederson felt his oblique cramp and left the game with an abdominal contusion, but doctors told him no ribs were broken and he told Roberts he wanted to play on Tuesday. Roberts said Wednesday is more likely and classified Pederson day to day. Pederson did not have X-rays.

“Pretty sure no broken ribs, so doing all right and feeling a lot better,” said Pederson. “I got the wind knocked out of me and a weird cramp in my oblique, and they were a little concerned. But so far, so good.”

Pederson led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run to center. In the second inning, he doubled in a run off the same box-seat railing, missing a home run by inches. In the third inning, he launched a three-run blast to right field for a 9-4 lead.

“Just seeing the ball really well the last couple of days,” said Pederson. “I like where I’m at.”

Roberts said Pederson is staying in the strike zone and winning pitches.

“You look at his last five at-bats, really quality. And when he puts the barrel on it with his swing loft, he’s going to do good things,” said Roberts. “It’s been tough sledding the last few months for Joc, but I think he’s trending in the right direction.”