MILWAUKEE (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy set a franchise record by hitting his 14th career postseason homer in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Muncy’s 412-foot drive over the center-field wall in the sixth inning broke the Dodgers mark he had shared with Justin Turner and Corey Seager. The solo shot off starter Freddy Peralta extended Los Angeles’ lead to 3-1.
The Dodgers went on to win 5-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“It means a lot to me,” Muncy said. “The Dodgers are a franchise that have been around for a very, very long time. A lot of very successful players have played in this organization. And to be able to break that record is kind of huge for me.
“But the biggest thing I would say is it speaks to the fact that I’ve had a chance to play in so many postseason games. And that’s the biggest thing about being a Dodger. You know you’ll have a chance in October to play meaningful baseball games. To be able to have that chance every single year I’ve been here, that’s always been the most important thing to me. You get as many chances as you can to win that World Series. That’s the reason why you play this game.”
It was Muncy’s 70th postseason game with the Dodgers. Turner played 86 for Los Angeles from 2014-22. Seager appeared in 61 from 2015-21.
Muncy nearly set the team record in Game 1 when he hit a long drive to center that was inches from becoming a grand slam. That shot instead turned into an unusual 8-6-2 double play after the ball popped out of center fielder Sal Frelick’s glove.
Frelick attempted to make a leaping grab, but the ball bounced off the top of the wall before he caught it and the Brewers ended up forcing runners out at home plate and third base.
Muncy was asked after Tuesday’s game whether he feared Frelick would make the catch when he saw the ball heading in that direction.
“I definitely thought he got it,” Muncy said. “That back wall is so close to the center-field wall. I didn’t see the ball bounce at all. When I didn’t see it bounce, I thought he came down with it again. And I was about to be very, very frustrated. But I saw him sit on the ground. That’s when I realized he didn’t have it.”
Muncy also holds the Dodgers record with 60 career postseason walks.
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