The Los Angeles Dodgers received four home runs in their 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, including a pivotal three-run blast from Dalton Rushing.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the seventh inning, the rookie catcher delivered a go-ahead homer off Jeremiah Estrada that gave the Dodgers a decided lead.
“Very good. Very good,” Rushing said of his home run after the game. “It felt like I was able to come through for the boys. Big moment, obviously. Playing a team like the Padres, it feels a little better.”
Rushing fell behind in the count and fouled off several pitches before finally connecting on an 87.8 mph slider from Estrada.
“Honestly, it felt more normal for myself,” Rushing said of battling back in the at-bat. “When I’m in the box and I get put in a hole, it’s like, ‘Alright, I’m going to find my way out. I don’t know how, but I’m going to find my way out.’
“That’s what I did. I kind of played the game with him, he threw every pitch that he had, and I was totally banking on just being able to put a good swing on the ball.”
Rushing has largely struggled at the plate since making his MLB debut in May, but believes he is close to turning things around.
“I think the approach is getting closer to being in a better place, Rushing explained. “The swing is what it is. The role is tough, so it’s hard to maintain a swing. But if I have the right approach, I can still do damage, still drive in runs.
“Like I said, I hit what I hit. Whatever I hit in this role, as long as I can drive in runs and do my job behind home plate.”
Dalton Rushing hopes to build on home run
Contributing offensively has been a challenge for Rushing as he’s needed to adjust to playing in a limited role. After coming through with arguably the biggest hit of his career, Rushing hopes to continue making strides at the plate.
“Yeah, 100%. Anything you do to kind of help the team win feels good inside and makes you feel like you can go from there and build off of it,” Rushing said.
“Moving forward, I have my feet under myself. I know what that situation feels like, I know what that moment feels like. It’s going to come again, whether it’s the regular season or the postseason when we see these guys again. It’s going to happen again, so it was good to get that moment.”
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