Dodgers Interview: Rushing on Catching May’s “Special” Stuff

LOS ANGELES — For Dodgers rookie catcher Dalton Rushing, Thursday night’s game wasn’t just a strong performance—it was a statement. As Dustin May fired off one of his best outings of the season, Rushing was behind the plate for every pitch, helping guide the right-hander through seven-plus masterful innings in a 6–2 win over the White Sox.

May took a perfect game into the sixth, and even after allowing a two-run homer in the eighth, the outing was one of his most complete and efficient of the year. Rushing, who caught every inning and chipped in offensively with a sharp single, couldn’t have been prouder.

“Dustin had really good control of the baseball early,” Rushing said. “He got ahead pretty early on everyone. And when you do that with his kind of stuff, it just allows you to put guys away pretty quick.”

The result? A low pitch count, soft contact, and a rhythm that kept the White Sox guessing all night.“He gave himself a chance to go deep into the game,” Rushing said. “It was a very successful start.”

For Rushing, who has taken on more responsibilities behind the plate in his rookie season, Thursday night was about more than just working well with a pitcher. It was about growth, chemistry, and confidence.

“A game like today, where you’re calling it and he’s perfect through five—that’s a big boost,” Rushing admitted. “Especially getting a hit myself, yeah, that feels good. But more importantly, helping Dustin get deep into that game, that’s what sticks with you.”

Rushing understands the importance of that kind of outing not only for May but for the entire pitching staff as the long season grinds toward the All-Star break. “To have a start like that at the beginning of July, when things start to wear on guys, it’s really promising.”

May is known for his fire on the mound, and when Baldwin broke up the shutout with a two-run homer in the eighth, the frustration was visible. But Rushing—who called the pitch—took responsibility with a maturity beyond his years.

“That one hurts. It hurts me just as much as it does him,” he said. “It was a pitch call I made, and I’ll wear that on my chest before he wears it on his.”

Still, Rushing emphasized that there’s nothing to hang heads about. “He went seven and a third, strong as ever. That was a big outing for us—and our bullpen.”

He also noted how he and May fuel each other with shared energy: “I play with a lot of fire, and so does he. I think that’s where we mold pretty well together.”

As May quietly logs a career high in starts and innings pitched this season, Rushing has noticed just how significant this turning point is for his battery mate.

“Over the years, July has kind of been a grind for him,” Rushing said. “But this year, everything is still playing at a high level. It’s really encouraging.”

He also underscored the value of May’s outing to a rotation that has weathered its fair share of injuries.

“What Dustin did tonight gives us a cushion,” Rushing said. “Our bullpen stays fresh, and it keeps things stable. With guys coming off the IL, it just helps keep everything on track.”

Asked if the home run was a mistake pitch, Rushing didn’t flinch. “It’s baseball,” he said. “Third time through the order, a guy sees all your stuff. Even if you put it in the perfect spot, sometimes they’re going to get you.”

It was a thoughtful, honest response from a young catcher growing fast at the big-league level—and it reflected the maturity and accountability that has already made Rushing a trusted figure in the clubhouse.

Final Thoughts

In many ways, Thursday night was a glimpse of what the future of the Dodgers battery could look like—Dustin May dealing on the mound, Dalton Rushing steering the ship behind the plate. Both were locked in, both learning from every pitch, and both making a serious impact in a game the Dodgers needed.

“We’re putting things together day by day,” Rushing said. “That was a big one for both of us.”

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