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Dodgers News: Justin Turner Developed Reputation Of Having Unique ‘Mind’ As Batter

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

Well before Walker Buehler finished off a second career complete game with his 15th and final strikeout of the night, he was provided a lead thanks to Justin Turner lifting a solo home run over the wall in left-center field in the fourth inning.

Turner later provided insurance with a run-scoring single and had a game-high two RBI in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres. “It felt good,” Turner said of the home run.

“Got a breaking ball down in the zone, kind of rode it out, stayed through it and was able to elevate it. Got just enough of it to be a homer and save my hamstrings from having to run out a double. … I hit it good.”

The home run was Turner’s 17th of the season and seventh since the All-Star break. In 21 games (19 starts) during that stretch, Turner has seen slight dips in his batting average and on-base percentage when compared to season totals, but has a .603 slugging percentage.

“J.T., his mind is just different than most players,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted. He referenced Turner uncharacteristically striking out three times in Friday’s loss. Though when the Dodgers were down to their final out, Turner pulled a single into left field.

“Didn’t panic, got a big base hit,” Roberts said. “And then comes in fresh and recharged and has a really nice night. The at-bat quality never wavers.”

Turner’s power surge in the second half of the season saw him reach 100 career home runs with the Dodgers just over one week ago. More recently, his blast during the Freeway Series provided Turner with an opportunity to recognize a special guest he hosted.

As the Dodgers won seven of their first 10 games during the unofficial second half of the season, Turner produced four multi-hit efforts, with five doubles during that span. He credited the key hitting to recent mechanical changes that he regularly completes throughout the course of any season.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com