The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a third consecutive game and thus lost their series with the San Francisco Giants, but it was a memorable day for Max Muncy in that he reached a personal milestone of 100 career home runs.
Muncy launched a two-run homer off Giants relief pitcher Zack Littell in the eighth inning, which guaranteed the Dodgers would not be shut out for the first time this season. Albert Pujols slugged his own two-run home run in the ninth inning but the Dodgers never drew any closer.
Muncy’s home run was his third of the series and fifth against the Giants this year. However, that the long ball Sunday came with added significance was not off Muncy’s mind. “I was aware of it,” he said after the 5-4 loss.
“It was one of those things where my family made sure I was aware of it. After [Saturday] night, they said one more. It’s pretty special. It’s a pretty cool number. It’s a lot of home runs in the big leagues and never something I thought I’d get to, especially with how my career started. So for me, it means a lot.
“But I would’ve rather had the victory. That’s just kind of how I’ve always been. Hopefully [Monday] we can get the ship righted.”
The moment was all the more memorable in that the home run ball was retrieved for Muncy. “I’m not sure who caught it, but the next inning when I came in, a couple of the equipment staff came up and said, ‘Hey, they got the ball,'” he said.
“All the guy wanted was an autograph, so I gladly did that for him. That was awesome I was able to get it back. It definitely puts a big smile on my face. So to whoever that was, thank you very much.”
Muncy has been on an impressive tear since emerging from a slump where hits were essentially non-existent. He admitted to some frustration during that skid but noted there was ongoing work with his swing mechanics.
“Very happy for him. Max to get 100 homers, that’s a big feather in his cap,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he hits another 100 over the next few years. For him, his family, really good. Just love the way he’s playing baseball right now.”
Pujols passes Babe Ruth
In addition to Muncy achieving a notable personal statistic, so too did Pujols. His home run in the bottom of the ninth was career No. 670 for Pujols, and also his 1,357th extra-base hit. That broke a tie with Babe Ruth for fourth-most extra-base hits in MLB history.
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