Dalton Rushing narrowly avoids another Dodgers controversy with well-timed Rockies walk-off

The Los Angeles Dodgers needed a response after blowing a 6-1 lead to the Colorado Rockies. They needed someone to clean up a messy extra-inning game that had already included a ninth-inning collapse, a brief Colorado lead in the 10th and another tense moment between two NL West clubs. Dalton Rushing delivered exactly that, lining the walk-off single in the 11th inning to lift Los Angeles to an 8-7 win.

That should have been the whole headline. Instead, Rushing once again had to explain himself.

In the top of the 10th, Cole Carrigg slid home feet-first on a close play at the plate and took issue with Rushing’s positioning before the tag attempt. Carrigg popped up with something to say. Rushing immediately answered. The benches started to move before the situation was contained.

To Rushing, it was merely “the competitive nature of the game.” That explanation is familiar by now. Too familiar, really.

There is nothing wrong with edge. The Dodgers don't need Rushing to play timidly, and they certainly don't need a young catcher apologizing for wanting the ball, taking contact or refusing to be walked over. Plays at the plate are violent, emotional and often misunderstood in real time.

But Rushing is reaching the point where every flare-up can no longer be waved away as coincidence. A hard slide here. A heated exchange there. A comment that needs explaining. A confrontation that nearly pulls both dugouts onto the field. Eventually, the common denominator matters. That's the line Rushing has to learn before the Dodgers pay for it.

Dalton Rushing playing with fire after yet another controversial exchange vs Rockies

Rushing's talent is obvious. With Will Smith sidelined, Rushing has been asked to handle a bigger role than many expected, and he has given Los Angeles real offensive production.

Monday was a perfect example of why the Dodgers are willing to live with the growing pains. Rushing was right in the middle of the winning rally, stayed in the game after the dust-up, and produced the swing that erased the night’s frustration.

The problem is that production doesn't erase reputation. If anything, it raises the stakes. The more important Rushing becomes to the Dodgers, the less room he has to keep making himself the story for the wrong reasons.

Monday night gave him the escape hatch. The walk-off turned what could have been another uncomfortable postgame conversation into a celebration. It allowed Rushing to frame the Carrigg exchange as heat-of-the-moment competitiveness instead of another entry in a growing file. But the Dodgers shouldn't mistake a game-winning hit for a clean slate.

Rushing saved the night with his bat. Now he has to prove he can stop putting himself in position to need saving.

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