LOS ANGELES — As Max Muncy struck a John King slider, the Dodgers’ third baseman instantly dropped his bat, checked out his teammates within the dugout and couldn’t assist however bask within the glow of a crowd that had erupted after the second of impression.
In a season with as a lot anticipation as any in franchise historical past, it was Muncy who delivered the primary huge exclamation level at Dodger Stadium this season, smacking a two-run go-ahead homer within the eighth inning to assist the Dodgers beat the Cardinals, 5-4, on Sunday.
“It was enjoyable,” Muncy mentioned. “Second evening in a row we haven’t had any stop within the crew and, you realize, that’s most likely the explanation why you struggle each evening.”
With the firepower all through this lineup, no lead can be protected for opposing pitching staffs this season. By six video games, the Dodgers have proven simply that. Certain, they’ve flexed their muscular tissues, displaying off their overwhelming starpower at each flip. However they’re additionally demonstrating that it’s not only a proficient roster — it’s additionally a resilient one.
Within the sixth, the deficit doubled for the Dodgers in what was one other weird inning this weekend. Gavin Stone — who confirmed a lot enchancment in his first begin of the season, permitting simply three runs over five-plus innings and a career-high six strikeouts — stored the Dodgers within the recreation so long as doable. After him, nevertheless, Alex Vesia struggled together with his command as soon as once more, strolling two batters and hitting one other to assist the Cardinals push throughout another run.
Even with the inefficient outing, it seemed as if Vesia restricted the harm by putting out former NL Most Precious Participant Paul Goldschmidt with the bases loaded. As an alternative, Austin Barnes was known as for catcher’s interference, the second evening in a row that occurred to a Dodgers catcher, permitting the Cardinals to take a 4-0 lead.
At that time, the Dodgers had 12 outs to work by means of a four-run deficit.
They instantly answered again with two runs within the backside of the sixth to chop the deficit in half as soon as once more. Then within the eighth, it was actually time for the fireworks.
After Freddie Freeman grounded out to second for the primary out of the body, Teoscar Hernández continued his robust weekend, smacking a solo homer off Andre Pallante to chop the deficit to 4-3. Maybe much more vital for Hernández and the Dodgers is that it was the primary homer of the season for the outfielder towards a right-handed pitcher.
“I couldn’t be happier for him, as a result of he was scuffling there for some time,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “He’s a professional. His monitor document speaks for itself. There was no panic. He involves the ballpark recent each single day prepared to assist us win every evening, whether or not it’s taking part in left subject, taking part in proper subject, hitting sixth or hitting fourth. There’s simply no complaining, simply [being] prepared when known as upon. The sport honors you.”
Two batters later, the sport additionally honored Muncy, who didn’t begin on Sunday however stayed prepared sufficient to take the most important at-bat of the sport. Going through the left-hander King, Muncy turned on a slider and despatched it deep into the right-field seats to offer the Dodgers the lead for good.
Muncy has collected a success in all six video games this season, and Sunday’s huge blast was not solely his first of the season, however towards a left-hander — an space through which Muncy struggled a season in the past.
“I really feel relaxed, and that to me that’s crucial factor,” Muncy mentioned. “Once I’m relaxed, I’m not urgent. I’m in a position to simply see the ball and attempt to get an excellent swing on it. It’s baseball, it’s exhausting. There’s not at all times going to be good outcomes, particularly in sure conditions. However so long as I’m relaxed on the plate and I’m not urgent, not making an attempt to do an excessive amount of, I really feel fairly good about myself.”
Not urgent is even simpler contemplating the assistance up and down the lineup. The final time the Dodgers gained a recreation after trailing by two or extra runs within the eighth inning or later was on July 25, 2023, towards the Blue Jays. They did it thrice all of final season.
Muncy’s blast on Sunday capped off the primary one this season, and it’s exhausting to think about that it’ll be the final.
“Hopefully,” Muncy mentioned. “There gained’t be any straightforward nights for anyone on the market.”
