The Los Angeles Dodgers took down the Chicago White Sox in a much-needed win on Tuesday, fueled by power swings from Will Smith and David Peralta in the first inning.
Their pair of two-run blasts provided all the run support needed to carry L.A. to a 5-1 win and Peralta’s was the Dodgers’ 20th first-inning home run of the season, which leads Major League Baseball.
“Well you have to set the tone. We do set the tone early in the game, and it’s always good to win the first game of the series,” Peralta said following Tuesday’s game. “And like I said, we win today, we’re going to be prepared tomorrow to do the same thing.”
Peralta joined the Dodgers on a one-year contract worth $6.5 million. Playing for the third team in his 10th big league season, the veteran had to find his groove in a new clubhouse and role.
“Be prepared, be ready. I’m always ready to play and just your preparation with the scouting report our hitting coach sends,” Peralta said.
“And we came ready to play, like we always do every day. We got good results and we got the win. And we just got to turn the page and come tomorrow with the same mentality. Like I always say with the same attitude and win the game tomorrow.”
Peralta got off to a slow start this season, batting just .167 in 25 games through April. But since May 1, he’s been a top-30 hitter in baseball, carrying a 148 wRC+ and .915 on-base plus slugging over 91 plate appearances.
“It feels good when you pull from all the hard work that has been put in there,” Peralta said of his hot stretch. “All the discipline, dedication is paying off right now, so it’s always good.
“Sometimes you get early in the process chasing for results. But results are coming, you just have to be patient and trust the process. And that’s what I’ve been doing and the results are coming up right now.
“I’m feeling really good. I’ve been feeling really good even like when any at-bat doesn’t go the way I want it, but you always have to take the positives of everything.”
How can the Dodgers provide a platoon opposite of David Peralta?
Having logged just eight at-bats against lefties, the overwhelming majority of Peralta’s contributions should remain against right-handed arms.
The Dodgers have kept Peralta’s role as a platoon bat, which has provided them with solid production. What has been lacking, is someone to spell him against southpaws, which could likely come from a trade deadline deal as August 1 approaches.
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