The Los Angeles Dodgers received home runs from Max Muncy and James Outman to earn a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a four-game series at Wrigley Field that allowed them to get back to .500.
Muncy opened the scoring with a solo home run that gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. After Cody Bellinger tied the game with a solo shot of his own, Outman put L.A. back in front with a 420-foot homer in the third.
With the score evened up in the ninth, Outman delivered a game-winning grand slam to cap off his big night at the plate. The multi-homer game and grand slam both were career-firsts for the rookie outfielder.
Outman enjoyed being able to come through in the clutch and help the Dodgers return to the win column, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“It was great. My emotions took over and I was excited. We were hurting for a run the whole game it seemed like, so the fact that we got it was huge.”
Outman believes the grand slam came in the biggest moment of his career:
“I definitely think that was the biggest situation of my career so far. It was cool. It was really cool.”
Along with his multi-home run performance, Outman made his presence felt defensively in the fourth inning by throwing out Trey Mancini at home plate to hold Nico Hoerner to only one RBI on his base hit.
The 25-year-old has been among the Dodgers’ key contributors this season as he went into play Friday batting .290/.397/.645 with one double, three triples, five home runs, 15 RBI and 1.1 WAR in 73 plate appearances (20 games).
Dave Roberts believes James Outman is influencing Dodgers lineup
With his impressive start to the season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said Outman is having a positive influence on the lineup, and also mentioned Miguel Vargas as being an important member as well due to their plate discipline.
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