Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia had the chance to earn the save on Tuesday with Edwin Diaz unavailable to pitch, and he delivered.
Vesia proceeded to strike out the side in the bottom of the ninth, sitting down Jorge Polanco, Bo Bichette, and Francisco Alvarez. But, this wasn’t just another night for the southpaw. It was also Healthcare Appreciation Night at Dodger Stadium, and the 27 healthcare workers who attended to his late daughter last fall, were in a suite, watching him dominate.
“Today was the first time I’ve seen pretty much all of them since everything,” Alex Vesia said after earning the save, via the LA Times. “So it was very special, very emotional. … I couldn’t have written it any better.”
Im gonna cry, man,” Vesia continued. “This is a very emotional day. Everyone up there played a very, very, very big part. [Kayla] and I are just so happy to at least be able to share today. For me to get a save, it’s unbelievable.”
A Special Moment For Los Angeles Dodgers Reliever Alex Vesia
Getty Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates the final out against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Vesia’s wife and he created customized shirts for each and every healthcare worker in the suite to wear, with the initials of his daughter on the front. “SV”, for Sterling Vesia. The newborn passed away last October. Due to the situation, Vesia didn’t pitch in the Dodgers’ run to a World Series title.
“That’s what I do it for, man,” he said later in the clubhouse after waving to the suite. “I wear my heart on my sleeve when I’m out there. So I was pretty fired up to be put in that spot.”
Vesia had the support of every single player, coach, and fan watching the World Series last year. For that matter, every baseball supporter was behind him after such an unfathomable loss. The Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays‘ bullpens put the No. 51 on their caps during the Fall Classic to pay their respects to Vesia.
Vesia Steps Up
GettyAlex Vesia #51 and Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a 2-1 win against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on April 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Diaz had been struggling with his velocity, and he also blew a save last Friday. The closer hasn’t pitched since then, and the Dodgers wanted to play it safe and give him some rest. With a righty-heavy lineup coming up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth in a close game, Roberts turned to one of his best relievers, and of course, a lefty.
“Not having [closer Edwin Díaz] available, I felt very confident to use Blake to get out of that inning, to get Robert,” Roberts said, “and to have Vesia take on some righties in a close situation.”
Vesia also knew just how important that moment was:
“Doc trusting me to get those three hitters out, those are no-joke hitters right there,” Vesia said. “So I definitely knew I needed to be on my game.”
Vesia has yet to allow a run this season, and he’s a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities. The southpaw has also held opponents to a mere .083 average.
A special evening for Vesia.
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