The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their homestand with a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins behind Kyle Tucker’s walk-off two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Tucker delivered a two-out hit to center field off Tyler Phillips that brought in Dalton Rushing and Shohei Ohtani as the tying and winning runs.
It was the fourth walk-off hit of Tucker’s career and his first with the Dodgers. While it represented the four-time All-Star’s latest signature moment, he initially wasn’t sure if his hit won the game for the Dodgers.
“I mean, I hit it and started going to first, and it wasn’t quite loud yet,” Tucker explained. “Until we actually ended up winning the game right there and Sho scored. So I was like, ‘Did I get the score wrong or what?’
“But afterward, I saw everyone running out, and it got loud and everything. I was like, ‘OK, sweet. This is sick.’ So it was cool.”
With the Dodgers facing a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning, Andy Pages and Rushing started the comeback by drawing consecutive walks against Pete Fairbanks.
Miguel Rojas then made the first out on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt before Ohtani drove in a run with a ground-rule double. Fairbanks then intentionally walked Freddie Freeman after falling behind in the count before exiting the game due to injury.
Tucker felt the momentum shifting before even stepping into the batter’s box and ultimately providing the game-winning hit.
“The guys in front of me did a phenomenal job drawing the walks, and Sho with a huge double there to pull us within one. Guys had phenomenal at-bats right there at the end,” he said.
“So just having the opportunity is huge. Anytime we have a chance to win, we try and take advantage of it. So it was a huge inning for us.”
Tucker has struggled with consistency to begin his Dodgers career and hopes the walk-off hit helps him become more comfortable with his new team.
“Yeah, I mean that’s nice right there,” Tucker began. “Anytime I can contribute to the win, then I’m happy for it. I mean, the guys in this clubhouse, the coaching staff, everyone’s been great since I’ve been here. So it’s been nice being over here.”
Dave Roberts praises Kyle Tucker
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is also optimistic that Tucker’s walk-off hit will be the start of a hot streak for the 29-year-old.
“It was great,” Roberts said of Tucker. “He needed it. He needed a win. He’s been grinding and trying to find some success and some good fortune.
“And so yeah, big spot right there, walk-off at home. So that was great, and seeing everybody go out and greet him and celebrate him was fun to watch.”
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