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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker hits a walk off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Monday, April 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Ryan Sun\/AP<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Monday, April 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Ryan Sun\/AP<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker, left, celebrates with first base coach Chris Woodward after hitting a walk off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Monday, April 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Ryan Sun\/AP<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker, center, celebrates with Freddie Freeman, left, after hitting a walk off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Monday, April 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Ryan Sun\/AP<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker is showered with water during an interview after hitting a walk off single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Monday, April 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Ryan Sun\/AP<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES (AP) \u2014 Kyle Tucker got his first walk-off hit since signing a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.<\/p>\n
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The right fielder’s game-ending single scored the tying and winning runs in a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night after he was hitless in his first four at-bats, including a strikeout. It was his first walk-off hit since May 15, 2023, with Houston.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt was great. He needed it,\u201d manager Dave Roberts said. \u201cHe\u2019s been grinding and trying to find some success and some good fortune. Big spot right there, walk-off at home, so that was great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last week, Tucker was dropped to the cleanup spot from the No. 2 hole in an effort to get the slugger going.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had some good contact with not a whole lot to show,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s tough sometimes just because you don\u2019t see the results right away, but you’ve got to stick to it and just try to make as much quality contact as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n
The change in the order will be the plan going forward.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMoving him down allowed the game to come to him a little bit slower and I think that has been a benefit,\u201d Roberts said.<\/p>\n
Tucker signed a $240 million, four-year contract with the Dodgers in January. He had yet to break out at the plate despite batting behind leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani until swapping places with Freddie Freeman in the order.<\/p>\n
Joining a star-laden clubhouse as a big-time free agent can unsettle some players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe transition certainly is unpredictable,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cHe\u2019s very consistent in how he approaches each day. He is traditionally a slow starter as I understand. He\u2019s a pro and he wants to be out there and still plays good defense. I do think that a moment like this, even for a player that\u2019s been around a long time, can kind of inspire more confidence in him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Tucker prefers to let his performance speak for itself. Playing alongside Ohtani, Freeman and Mookie Betts, he no longer has to carry a team or be its face the way he did with the Chicago Cubs.<\/p>\n
Roberts said he’s given up trying to read Tucker’s poker face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just who he is. It\u2019s not personal to anybody,\u201d the manager said. \u201cJust doesn\u2019t give anyone a whole lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of shaking Tucker’s hand after his game-winning hit, Roberts pushed him in the chest, which provoked a smile.<\/p>\n
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Tucker barely reacted as Ohtani and Dalton Rushing scored the tying and winning runs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hit it and started going to first and it wasn\u2019t quite loud yet until we actually ended up winning the game,\u201d Tucker said, \u201cso it was like, did I get the score wrong? But afterwards I saw everyone running out and it got loud, so I was like, \u2018Sweet, this is sick.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
That qualified as a big reaction from Tucker.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys are working on him. I think he\u2019ll loosen up,” Roberts said. \u201cI think even Shohei when he first got here was a little bit more reserved compared to where he is now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Tucker said the players and coaching staff have made him feel at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnytime I can contribute to the win I\u2019m happy,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s been nice being over here.\u201d<\/p>\n
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