Muncy torments Giants, smashes 2 HRs once more

SAN FRANCISCO — There’s simply one thing about going through the Giants that brings out the perfect in Max Muncy.

“You’re happy for the player and the person because three days ago, it wasn’t like this,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “It was a huge series, and I’m just happy to see him smile and help us win some ballgames.”

To Roberts’ level, Muncy entered the collection simply 4-for-33 with one house run and three RBIs. In the three video games in San Francisco, he went 5-for-9 with 4 homers and 11 RBIs, and he didn’t even begin Tuesday’s sport.

“I made some adjustments to the swing, and I just felt like I was in a much better position to hit than I had been the last week or so,” Muncy defined. “I got a couple of mistakes, and I didn’t miss them.”

Muncy’s whole of 11 RBIs in a three-game collection was tied for second-most behind Frank Howard’s 12 RBIs manner again in 1962. He’s additionally the primary participant to file 11 RBIs in a three-game collection in opposition to the Giants since Rockies outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds in 2000.

Since the beginning of the 2020 season, Muncy has hit 21 homers in opposition to the Giants, the second-most of any participant in opposition to any opposing staff, behind solely Aaron Judge’s 22 in opposition to the Orioles.

“Very impressive,” mentioned Wednesday’s beginning pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who restricted the Giants to 3 runs (two earned) in six innings for his 199th profession win. “It is really hard to hit a home run off of Scott Alexander. Left on left makes it that much harder. So for Munce to take that swing and put it in left-center off that good of a sinker is really, really impressive.”

Muncy moved right into a tie for second place within the Majors with 5 house runs this season. His 14 RBIs are tied for the National League lead.

“The way I was taking pitches and how my body was reacting on the takes, to me, that gave me all the confidence in the world that I needed right there that I knew I was doing the right things,” Muncy mentioned. “Once I used to be ready to try this, then it was alright, let’s simply let your swing take over. You labored laborious on it. It’s in a very great place. Now that your physique is in a great spot, simply let the swing take over, and that’s what I used to be doing.”

Trayce Thompson additionally homered for the Dodgers on Wednesday, his fourth in simply 19 at-bats this season, and Freddie Freeman sparked a five-run rally within the sixth inning with an epic 15-pitch, bases-loaded stroll the place he fouled off 11 pitches, together with 9 in a row with a 3-2 depend.

“It’s amazing how one at-bat can change the outlook of a game, but that definitely did it tonight,” Kershaw mentioned.

Added Roberts: “He’s relentless within the batter’s field. Obviously, it goes with out saying [that] it’s the perfect at-bat we’ve had this yr. What it did for the dugout and the staff, we simply form of fed off that momentum.”

But as soon as once more, Muncy was the focal point in San Francisco. The rival followers’ boos and jeers received louder and extra intense with every at-bat.

Muncy couldn’t care much less.

“What excites me is being in a position to win and being in a position to help the team win,” he mentioned. “It’s a very enjoyable group. This is likely one of the [most fun] teams I’ve been part of up to now. We’re nonetheless discovering out who we’re and it’s going to be enjoyable down the stretch.”