Max Muncy’s 3-homer night ends with a stunning 9th-inning winner as Dodgers top Rangers, 8-7
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Max Muncy hit three homers, including a game-winning, two-out solo shot in the ninth inning after Edwin Diaz blew his first save, and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied past the Texas Rangers 8-7 Friday night in the opener of a series between the last three World Series champions. Diaz (1-0) blew his first save in six appearances with a three-run ninth that tied the game, 7-7. He gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Joc Pederson before Evan Carter hammered a first-pitch fastball to right.
After two outs, Josh Jung singled. Pinch-runner Sam Haggerty stole second and Brandon Nimmo was intentionally walked. Ezequiel Duran followed with a tying single to left.
After Will Smith and Freddie Freeman struck out, Muncy hit a 401-foot shot to right off Jakob Latz (0-1). The Dodgers first rallied in the sixth on Andy Pages' go-ahead, two-run double. The NL West-leading Dodgers trailed by two runs before ending the AL West-leading Rangers' three-game winning streak.
Texas won the World Series in 2023, and the Dodgers followed with back-to-back titles in 2024 and '25. Muncy hit solo shots in the second and fourth innings off Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. Muncy had his second career three-homer game and moved into sole possession of sixth all-time with 212 career homers for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers rapped out 15 hits, with Muncy reaching base four times. In the eighth, the ball went off the glove of first baseman Jake Burger in foul territory, triggering a foot race to the bag. Muncy collided with reliever Luis Curvelo, who went down.