Puig goes from the soaker to the soaked

August 17th, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Through all the crazy comebacks, celebrations and walk-offs, can be seen by his teammates, charging out of the dugout ready to dump Gatorade on the hero of the game.
Through the Dodgers' 85-34 start, they've experienced 38 comeback wins and a Major League-leading 10 walk-offs, it's become customary to expect to be drenched by Puig, but on Wednesday, it was Puig's turn to take a Gatorade bath, after knocking a two-run walk-off double to seal the Dodgers' 5-4 win against the White Sox.
"To see his teammates kind of go rush the field for him, as he's done so many times for his teammates, so good to see," manager Dave Roberts said.

Puig battled with Sox righty Jake Petricka through an eight-pitch at-bat before finally breaking through and smacking Petricka's 95-mph heater to center field for the third walk-off hit of his career.
"There were some pitches that Yasiel had to fight off and put the bat on to see another pitch, and he did that," Roberts said. "When you have success in those moments, it definitely breeds confidence."
Puig's resurgence has been built on his different approach at the plate, as patience and discipline have him on pace to surpass his career high of 67 walks.
Entering Wednesday, Puig hadn't recorded a hit since Aug. 9, but had drawn eight walks over his last six games, which was one of the reasons Roberts decided to move the former All-Star out of the eight-hole and bat him No. 6 against White Sox lefty .

"I don't think anyone else noticed it," said about Puig's hitless streak. "Because he's getting on base, putting together good at-bats."
Roberts has seen a different Puig than the one who was sent down to the Minors last season, and it started on July 14 with his game-winning homer against the Marlins.
"As far as wanting to be the guy," Roberts said. "Sometimes over the course of his career you see it get in the way and he wants to do too much. When you look at that Miami at-bat, from that big hit, there's been numerous big spots where he's come through."