Dodgers Highlights: Max Muncy Breaks Out From Slump, LA Rallies to Get Kershaw Off the Hook
The Dodgers put together a complete team effort to down the Rays in Tampa Bay. Max Muncy had a nice little breakout from an ugly 2-27 stretch with 2 hits and 2 RBI in the much needed win for Los Angeles. Clayton Kershaw pitched well until he ran out of gas in the 5th inning.
The Dodger bats came to life late to go ahead and stay ahead for good… barely.
Let’s get into the highlights of this one.
Max opened the scoring with this majestic solo homer off Tyler Glasnow, giving fans shades of the 2020 World Series.
DOME YEESH https://t.co/QzTHrGfCiN
— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) May 27, 2023
Max Muncy's 16th home run of the season got out in a hurry. 108.9 mph exit velocity and 408 feet, it would be a homer in all 30 Major League ballparks.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) May 27, 2023
The Dodgers scored two more runs in the 4th inning on back to back doubles and a wild pitch. Muncy doubled home J.D. Martinez, his second RBI of the afternoon. He advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.
Max Muncy's 16th home run of the season got out in a hurry. 108.9 mph exit velocity and 408 feet, it would be a homer in all 30 Major League ballparks.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) May 27, 2023
The Rays broke the shutout in the bottom of the 4th with a walk and two hits off Kershaw. They tacked on two more in the 5th with a 2 run homer. Clayton’s day ended after 5 innings and 4 earned runs, his third consecutive less than great start.
After exchanging zeroes in the 6th inning, the Dodgers took the lead back in the 7th with some clutch hitting. Miguel Rojas singled with one out and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch. Mookie Betts drove home Rojas with an RBI single and stole second base. Freddie Freeman doubled him home to put LA back on top 5-4.
Miguel Vargas connected on his 5th home run of the year in the 8th, much to the joy of Doug McKain.
MIGUEL VARGAS ABSOLUTELY CRU, RUH, RUH, CRUSHED THAT.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) May 27, 2023
5TH BOMB OF THE YEAR FOR MIGGY.
MY DAY IS MADE #Dodgers
pic.twitter.com/IHmFZmTudM
It proved to be a huge run.
Yency Almonte, Brusdar Graterol, and Evan Phillips combined to keep the Rays off the board for 3.1 innings but things got scary in the bottom of the 9th as Caleb Ferguson came in to try and get the final 2 outs of the win. He allowed a double to the first batter he faced, Taylor Walls, before coming back to strike out center fielder Jose Siri. Yandy Diaz walked and Wander Franco singled in Walls. Mercifully, Ferg was able to secure the final out on a groundout up the middle that took a big hop and nearly got over Miguel Vargas.
Despite the drama, Ferguson picked up his 2nd save of the season.
FINAL: 6-4 Dodgers win
“That was a gritty win,” Dave Roberts said after the game. “So much respect for this Tampa team, the way they play. They don’t give you anything. And for us to get a lead, and then lose it, and come back and fight back, scratch and claw, it was just overall a really good win.”
Up Next
The Dodgers try to take the series from the Rays with rookie Gavin Stone on the mound making his third career start. He’ll face
