The Kyle Tucker Moment Has Finally Arrived: Dodgers Walk Off Marlins in the 9th

Apr 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) is congratulated by first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after hitting a 2 RBI walk-off single in the ninth inning to defeat the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Prior to the ninth-inning hit, Tucker had struggled Monday night, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

After the game, though, he indicated that he was making solid contact and, at some point, the hits would come.

“It’s tough sometimes just because you don’t see the results right away and everything, but you kind of stick to it and make as much quality contact as you can, wait for them to drop,” he said after the game.

Roberts echoed that sentiment after the game, praising Tucker for “grinding” despite the struggles.

“I do think that a moment like this… can kind of inspire more confidence in him… I think this is the floor of what he’s going to be doing this year,” Roberts said.

Tucker’s big hit came as he tried to do less

It’s worth noting that Tucker’s game-winner came not on a monster home run but on a single through the middle of the infield.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the bases loaded, the Dodgers just needed to knock runners home, not blast a grand slam, and Tucker understood the assignment, said Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain.

“He was not trying to hit a 10-run home run, was not trying to be the hero, per se,” McKain said. “But he was able to lift one out and he gets the Dodgers the big walk-off hit.”

What’s next for the Dodgers

The Dodgers and Marlins face off again Tuesday night.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m., and the superstar Ohtani (2-0) is getting the start on the mound.