The Los Angeles Dodgers broke out the bats in a 13-7 comeback win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday, with Max Muncy continuing his resurgence at the plate.
The 34-year-old belted a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning — his 200th career home run with the Dodgers — and later added another three-run blast as part of a 2-for-4 effort. Muncy finished with the seven RBI, which tied a career high.
Muncy is now hitting an impressive .310/.461/.621 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 20 games during the month of June.
“It’s definitely a snowball effect. Confidence is high right now, I feel good in the box, feel really good with my mechanics and I’m seeing the ball well,” Muncy said after the game.
“Every single day it’s just trying to take it one pitch at a time and not trying to do too much. Just have good at-bats and understand what the situation is calling for. I’ve been sticking to that.”
Muncy’s turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable after getting off to a rough start this season. He entered the month of May batting just .194 with seven extra-base hits and five RBI in 29 games.
Muncy has particularly found success since his decision to begin wearing glasses during games at the end of April.
“It’s taken some time, but we just thought — and I know I saw some signs he was getting out of it — certainly the glasses thing helped,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Muncy. “But I also think his swing is a lot shorter, he’s taking better at-bats. We never wavered in our confidence. We’ve shown that, and he’s proven us all right.”
Muncy’s recent hot streak comes at a time in which the top of the Dodgers lineup has collectively struggled. Though, Ohtani did hit a three-run triple and two-run homer on Sunday.
“From Will (Smith) to Max, it’s been very helpful,” Roberts said. “Those guys are in it, so hopefully we get on the road, put on the gray jersey, have an off day and they can get their rest and take advantage of Coors Field.
“But at the end of the day, we had a 10-game homestand, and won seven of 10. So that’s a big bonus, given the fact that those guys didn’t play their best baseball. It just speaks to how talented and how good we are.”
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