Lux Shines as Dodgers Dominate Nationals in Offensive Showcase

In a much-needed offensive outburst, the Los Angeles Dodgers trounced the Washington Nationals 11-2 on Wednesday night at Nationals Park. The standout performance came from second baseman Gavin Lux, who snapped out of an early season slump with his first multi-hit game since March 30th.

Lux, who missed the entire 2023 season due to injury, has been struggling to find his groove at the plate in the opening weeks of the 2024 campaign. However, he took a big step forward against the Nationals, recording a pair of hits including a two-out, two-RBI single in the fifth inning that helped blow the game open for the Dodgers.

“Baseball is so much mental,” Lux said after the game. “When you’re slumping and just trying to keep building momentum and then hopefully bring it into the next day. It’s a tough mental game, so you just gotta keep rolling.”

The 25-year-old’s journey back from his lost 2023 season has been an arduous one, filled with disappointment and adversity. After years of waiting his turn behind stars like Corey Seager and Trea Turner, Lux was poised to take over as the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop last year before an untimely injury derailed those plans just a few games into spring training.

This year, Lux had to deal with the sting of losing the shortstop job to someone else due to struggles on defense. But rather than sulk, he’s embraced the challenge of returning to form as the team’s second baseman with hard work and persistence.

“Obviously we all want to perform and put up good numbers and help the team win,” Lux explained. “But realistically, you got to take a process-oriented approach when you miss a year and a half full of at-bats. So it’s tough, but you’ve just got to keep grinding. You got no other option.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has taken notice of Lux’s tireless efforts, seeing him regularly as one of the first players in the batting cages hours before game time. After Wednesday’s breakout, Roberts praised Lux’s approach.

“All positive,” Roberts said. “Tonight, I think he was more free and easy…those first three [at-bats] I thought were really quality from him.”

No one knows better than Padres star Manny Machado how difficult it can be to return to top form after missing significant time due to injury. Machado suffered severe knee issues early in his career, and made a point to seek out Lux this spring to let him know full recovery doesn’t happen overnight.

“You definitely want results,” Lux said. “When you’re just grinding away in the cage all day and you don’t get it, it’s tough. But you just got to keep going with it. It’ll eventually even out. Baseball is 162 games for a reason.”

While Lux was the breakout star, he had plenty of company in the Dodgers’ offensive barrage. Will Smith and Mookie Betts combined for eight hits, Max Muncy drove in a run, and Andy Pages homered. The star of the show, however, was Shohei Ohtani, who continued his torrid start by roping three more doubles to push his major league-leading total to 14 already this season.

For the Dodgers, Lux’s multi-hit performance was an encouraging sign that he may finally be rounding into form. But they know the real prize will be getting the consistent, impactful version of Lux they’ve been waiting for since he rose through their minor league ranks as a top prospect.

“He’s grinding. He’s working his butt off,” Betts said. “That’s all you can ask for.”

The flashes of Lux’s immense talent and potential were there for all to see on Wednesday night against the Nationals. If he can build on that promising start, the Dodgers will have another dangerous bat to add to their already potent lineup as the season wears on.