Kyle Tucker’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been plagued by inconsistency so far, but he played a big role in the team’s 4-3 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
With the Dodgers trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning, Tucker evened the score with a three-run homer that completely swung the momentum of the game. He also threw out Jonathan Aranda at the plate in the top of the third to help preserve the tie.
Tucker finished 2-for-4 in what was only his third multi-hit game since the start of June. Some have attributed his struggles to dealing with the pressure of playing for a new team after signing a record-setting contract, but the four-time All-Star downplayed that notion and remains focused on turning his season around.
“I don’t take it like that,” Tucker said. “I just go out and play regardless. No matter where I’m at or what I’m doing, I just go out there and try to play well, try to have good at-bats, try to play good in the field and everything, and just trying to help our team win. So regardless of anything else, that is what I try to do.”
Tucker is hitting just .239/.337/.388 with 16 doubles, six home runs and 39 RBI in 69 games this season. He hasn’t been able to maintain much success, but keeps a positive mindset by not dwelling on the past.
“Yeah, I mean, it kind of happens,” Tucker began. “We play so many games that they could get frustrating, but you just have to try and move on to the next at-bat or the next hand and everything. Just do your best with that. So that’s just what I’m trying to do.”
Kyle Tucker confident he will bounce back
With more than half a season still to be played, Tucker is optimistic that he can break out of his extended slump.
“You’d hope. But we play a lot of games, have a lot of at-bats,” Tucker explained. “Obviously, I’d love to figure it out from at-bat one until the end of the year, but doesn’t always work out like that, so you just gotta try and be consistent every single day and play defense out there.”
Tucker has shown signs a potential turnaround as he is batting .304 with one double, one home run and eight RBI over his last six games.
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