Dalton Rushing and Will Smith both played a part in the Los Angeles Dodgers securing a series win over the San Diego Padres earlier in their homestand.
While Smith provided the walk-off home run during his pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning, it was Rushing who gave the Dodgers their first lead of the game with a two-run single in the fifth.
The 24-year-old has struggled offensively since making his MLB debut last month, but believes his big hit against the Padres can be the start of a potential turnaround.
“It’s been a grind, it’s been an adjustment trying to understand not only my role, but exactly how to be successful in my role,” Rushing said this week.
“Results that I got tonight, obviously boost the confidence a little bit. Main goal, we won a ballgame. Big swing by Will there at the end. That was a fun one to be a part of.”
Part of the challenge Rushing has encountered with the Dodgers is only receiving a couple of starts per week as opposed to being in the lineup every day with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
“It’s something I’ve never done before, so it’s going to be different,” Rushing said. “It’s going to feel different. I show up with not a different mindset, but a different day-to-day look. I’m used to showing up, I’m in the lineup every night.
“But that’s not my role here, and I embrace that. Like I said, I’m finding a way to be prepared whenever that opportunity comes.”
Rushing said he has sought extra work as a way to prepare for his limited starts with the Dodgers.
“Just trying to get as much in-game feels, live at-bats as possible. Not playing every day, it’s an adjustment,” Rushing began.
“You’re not seeing a pitch come in the strike zone every day, like I’m used to, so I’ve done multiple different things. To be able to get the results I did tonight is a really good feeling.”
Dalton Rushing providing value with defense
Although he has not found much success at the plate, the Dodgers are pleased with the value Rushing is providing behind home plate.
“Dalton, the catching, the relationships with the pitchers and pitching coaches, has been fantastic,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think the fingers have been good, receiving is good.
“It’s a challenge and change in the sense he’s not playing every day or four to five days a week like he’s used to. That is a work in progress, because he’s used to getting hits and being an impact bat. That’s going to come, but right now, like I said a week ago, his value to the team is keep listening, watching and learning, and dominate behind the plate.
“Anything we get from him offensively is a bonus for now. We will lean on him at some point on the offensive side. For me, I just want him to conduct good at-bats and start eliminating that chase.”
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