Max Muncy’s Historic Night: Dodgers Edge Rangers 8-7
Max Muncy spent his week in Toronto telling his manager, Dave Roberts, that his bat was finally waking up. He wasn’t kidding. On a night where the stadium buzzed with energy, Muncy put on a clinic, launching three home runs to propel the Los Angeles Dodgers to a wild 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers. It was the second time in his career he’s hit three in a single game, but this one felt different. The walk-off blast in the ninth was the exclamation point on a night that reminded everyone just how dangerous this lineup can be when the veteran finds his rhythm at the plate.
“I still think about the first time I did it,” Muncy said. “To get the win on top of it, it’s great.”
Beyond the sheer drama of the walk-off, Muncy reached a significant personal milestone. His first homer of the night marked his 211th as a Dodger, eventually pushing him past franchise icon Steve Garvey for third place on the club’s all-time list. “Garvey is kind of a Dodger icon, the way he carried himself, the way he played the game, just a model of consistency,” Muncy noted. It is a rare feat in a storied franchise, and for the 35-year-old, it serves as validation of his longevity. He now looks up only at Ron Cey and Eric Karros in the record books, proving his place in team history.
What stands out most isn’t just the power, but the mobility. After a tough 2021 elbow injury that sidelined his postseason, Muncy spent the off-season focusing on his conditioning, shedding 17 pounds by cutting back on bread—a move he joked was harder than it sounds. He isn’t just swinging for the fences; he’s moving better in the field. “I just feel healthy, that’s kind of the most important thing right now,” he said. That health has clearly translated to his approach, as he’s finding his timing and driving the ball to left-center with a consistency he hasn’t shown in years.
US News Hub Misryoum reports that Muncy’s resurgence comes on the heels of a one-year contract extension that keeps him in Los Angeles through 2028. Dave Roberts believes that security has been a major factor, allowing the veteran to play with a clearer head. “He knows that we believe in him and we’ve showed that many times over, so I think there’s some peace with that,” the manager said. It’s hard to argue with the results. Muncy finished his night 4-for-5 with five runs and three RBIs, proving once again that he remains a cornerstone of this roster.