BSP-11 Dodgers hero Muncy in dreamland after walkoff winner

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Dodgers hero Muncy in dreamland after walkoff winner

LOS ANGELES, Oct 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Max Muncy believes the Los Angeles
Dodgers have reignited their World Series challenge after his walk-off home
run clinched a marathon duel with the Boston Red Sox.

Muncy’s 18th inning homer gave the Dodgers a 3-2 win which cuts Boston’s
lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1 with games four and five scheduled at
Dodger Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.

In the 115-year history of the World Series, a 2-0 series deficit has only
been overturned on 11 occasions — and the Dodgers have authored three of
those comebacks.

And Muncy believes the Dodgers could haul themselves back into contention
against the Red Sox this weekend after Friday’s thriller.

“It’s big time,” Muncy said. “This was a gut wrenching game for both
sides. This is one of those games that whoever came out on top is going to
have a lot of momentum going into tomorrow. This was an extremely long game,
18 innings.

“A lot of pitchers were used. Every position player was used. Injuries on
both sides. Their guys are banged up, our guys are banged up.

“It’s one of those things when you’re able to come out on top from a game
like this, you have to feel it gives you a little momentum going to the next
one.”

Muncy’s walkoff winner on Friday was the latest milestone in a miraculous
rise for the 28-year-old, who was facing up to a failure to crack the big
leagues last year after being let go by the Oakland Athletics following
spring training.

He was later signed by the Dodgers and spent 2017 in the minor leagues
before stepping up to the Majors this season.

He would go on to lead the Dodgers with 35 home runs, fifth in the
National League.

Muncy admitted he was still struggling to come to terms with his meteoric
rise.

“It’s been a dream,” he told reporters. “This whole year has been a
surreal experience that it’s hard to put into words.

“But just getting a chance to play in the World Series has kind of capped
it off. And then getting a chance to hit a walk-off home run, obviously
there’s not many words I can use to describe that. The feeling was just pure
joy and incredible excitement.

“That’s about all I can think of because it’s hard to describe how good a
feeling it is.”

Muncy traces his success to technical improvements in his swing and mental
approach.

“There’s a lot of mechanical changes, most importantly a lot of mental
changes,” he said.

“And all that put together has led to his point right now.”

BSS/AFP/MR/ 1450 hrs