Dodgers News: Power Returning for Max Muncy After Long Cold Streak

The struggling slugger hit a two-run bomb against the Pirates.

The Dodgers and Pirates were locked in a 2-2 tie for 4 innings before Max Muncy hammered a 414-foot home run to bring in two runs and a lead for LA — which they would not relinquish, winning 5-2.

Muncy, who is recovering from a rough June in which he hit .111/.259/.222 and only one home run, has been heating up in July. The game-winning homer Thursday night was his second of the month, and the third basemen sports a .943 OPS across the last six games.

Muncy spoke on his takeaways from the series, in which he hit two home runs over the center field fence in Dodger Stadium.

"It just tells me my hands are doing what they’re supposed to do,” Muncy said. “Even though I pull the ball quite often, my approach is always to the center of the field. It’s just my hands don’t always allow that to happen. Even the first at-bat, I hit a line drive to left field. That just tells me that my swing’s doing what it’s supposed to do. If I just keep trusting that, there’s going to be some results coming.” 

(Via

The Orange County Register

)

Muncy is on track to contribute a significant number of home runs to the Dodgers this season, with 20 before the All-Star break. While his batting average, at .195, is less than ideal, Muncy went 4-for-14 at the plate against the Pirates, adding two walks.

The Dodgers will face the Angels in Dodger Stadium in a two-game series before the All-Star break. Muncy will have two more opportunities to prove himself as a consistent hitter while also contributing to the Dodgers' must-win mentality.

LA, among the favorites to win the World Series, is fighting to hold off the Giants for second in the NL West while steadily climbing back towards the top. The Diamondbacks sit a half-game above the Dodgers, while the Giants sit two-and-a-half games behind.

The Dodgers will take on the Angels Friday night at 7:10 p.m. PDT.