Pederson homers not once, but twice on birthday

April 21st, 2019

MILWAUKEE -- Joc Pederson should wish every day was his birthday.

Pederson has baseball reasons for that birthday wish. On Sunday, he celebrated his 27th birthday with a pair of home runs, a pair of singles and three runs scored in the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over Milwaukee, continuing a custom in record fashion.

He’s now 11-for-20 with three homers and four RBIs in his career on his birthday. He is the first Dodger with a multi-HR performance on his birthday since Duke Snider in 1953. He is also the third player in MLB history with at least four hits and two home runs on his birthday, joining Philadelphia's Joe Morgan on Sept. 19, 1983, and Detroit's Kirk Gibson on May 28, 1995.

“If I had the answer, I’d do my best to repeat it more often,” said Pederson. “Luckily, I was able to help the team win a ballgame today.”

Pederson has 10 home runs this season, one behind Cody Bellinger for the club lead, after the 10th multi-homer game of his career.

“It’s huge to win the series, obviously against a great ballclub, a playoff-contending team,” said Pederson, whose Dodgers beat the Brewers for the National League pennant last year. “We’re hitting our stride. We’re playing together as a team, having quality at-bats and it’s fun to be a part of.”