Muncy mash helps Dodgers turn back SD again

LOS ANGELES — Through Max Muncy’s season-long struggles at the plate, the Dodgers’ confidence in him has not wavered. Manager Dave Roberts has moved Muncy down in the order at times but has trotted him out there every day, repeatedly saying their best lineup is when the two-time All-Star is on top of his game. 

Maybe that patience is finally starting to pay off.

Muncy played the role of hero on Saturday night, delivering the go-ahead three-run homer off Mike Clevinger in the fifth inning to lead the Dodgers to an 8-3 win over the Padres at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, who extended their NL West division lead to 14 1/2 games, will go for the sweep against the Padres on Sunday.

As Clevinger hung a slider that sat in the middle of the strike zone, Muncy geared back and put together one of his best swings of the season. In years past, Muncy might’ve taken a second to admire a ball with an exit velocity of 106 mph. The way things are going this season, however, Muncy decided to sprint out of the box.

But as Muncy saw the ball land inside the Padres’ bullpen for his 11th homer of 2022 and his 11th in 53 career games against San Diego, the third baseman exhaled and lifted his right arm up in celebration. The sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium erupted.