Mancy ends longest home run drought of his career: "Relieved"

When Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy slammed his palms around first base, Freddie Freeman in the Standout threw his arms into the air — the long wait was over.

In the Dodgers' final game of April, Muncy hit his first home run of the season at 106th and helped the team beat the Marlins 12-7 to complete the series sweep and end a struggling April.

"It's not easy to play in Los Angeles, but it's an honor," Muncy said, "and it's an honor to play under pressure." It's something I've always wanted, but it's never easy for me and my family – it's been a tough April. "

It was the end of a number of career records for the longest home run:

• The first 28 games of the season were 0 hits, breaking the record of 17 games with 51 hits in the opening season when he played for the Athletics in 2016
• 151 consecutive hits in the regular season since September 15 last year (three during the playoffs)
• This time, 105 seats were played without a hit, setting a record for the longest single season in his career

When Muncy blasted Cal Quantrill's 2-1 four-seamer 433 feet into the outfield, cheers erupted in the Dodgers' lounge to prove his teammates were just as excited as he was.

"It means a lot to me," says Muncy, "almost emotionally." The locker room is tight-knit and everyone cares about each other. We want to win, and that requires everybody to get into shape. "

Head Coach Dave Roberts noted: "The ecstasy of feeling the support of his teammates is a testament to how much he has been suffering from this struggle. "

In addition to the home run shortage, Mancy's overall batting form was sluggish (0.180 before the game, 0.531 attack index), and although the selection was improved in late April, the long batting rate was only 0.301. As the Dodgers' active home run leader (ninth in team history, 191 hits), his teammates are convinced that it is only a matter of time before he explodes.

"I know he's been trying to adjust his swing," Freeman said, "and it's been hard work and hopefully it's going to open the floodgates for Mansey." "