Dodgers’ Unconventional Victory Over Twins
MINNEAPOLIS — It’s often said, if the Dodgers don’t hit home runs, they won’t win. But on Tuesday, they turned that notion on its head.
In a commanding 12-3 win against the Minnesota Twins, the Dodgers amassed runs in a rather unexpected way.
They racked up a solid number of hits, which is, well, a bit unusual for them. Only one of their 17 hits was a home run, and that didn’t happen until the ninth inning. Alex Cole finally connected, sending a pitch by reliever Taylor Rogers over the left field wall.
This isn’t the norm; in fact, the Dodgers have a record of 7-17 in games where they don’t hit a home run.
But there’s always room for surprises, right? Their overall record now stands at a fantastic 44-12.
Freddie Freeman, stepping up for the Dodgers, went 3-for-4 at the plate, contributing to the score across three innings.
He smashed a double in the third, tying the game 2-2 after Tommy Edman capitalized on a throwing error by Twins second baseman Luke Keishal. Freeman later added a single during a productive fourth inning, helping extend their lead to 5-2.
He kept the momentum going with another double in the sixth, driving in Andy Pages and pushing the lead to 6-2.
On the mound, Justin Roblewski performed impressively, limiting the Twins to just two runs and five hits over seven innings. With this win, he now holds a team-leading 9-2 record and has an ERA of 2.71.
What It Means
The Dodgers’ current standing of 51 wins and 29 losses sets a record in baseball history.
Reflecting on the past, last year they finished third in the National League, complicating their defense of the World Series title. They missed out on a first-round bye and had to challenge the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card game. Each round they played in the postseason, including the World Series, saw them facing opponents with home-field advantage.
It’s possible they might replicate their success from 2024, where they enjoyed both a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Who is Hot
This matchup saw journeyman Chuckie Robinson stepping in as catcher for Dalton Rushing, who was evaluated for a possible concussion before the game.
Robinson, who had entered the game with a 0-for-11 record this season, finally found his footing with his first major league hit since September 14, 2024. He concluded the game with two hits, a run, and an RBI across four at-bats, marking his first multi-hit game since October 4, 2022.
Additionally, this series is a homecoming for outfielder Alex Cole. Hailing from River Falls, Wisconsin, about 40 minutes away, he made a solid impact while filling in for Kyle Tucker, who was sidelined with back spasms. Cole went 2-for-4 with a homer, two walks, and three RBIs. He had a strong showing as a pinch hitter in the series opener too, collecting two hits.
Who is Not
As for the Twins, they still have a shot at a wild-card spot but are facing the reality of possibly becoming sellers at the trade deadline. Even if they somehow make it to the postseason, they don’t seem equipped for a strong October run. Their bullpen has struggled, and based on their performance in this series, their batting lineup hasn’t fared well against average pitching, netting just three runs in two games against the Dodgers.
To the Next
The Dodgers are set to wrap up their three-game series against the Twins on Wednesday. Shohei Ohtani, with a 7-2 record and 1.47 ERA, will take the mound for the Dodgers, while All-Star Joe Ryan, boasting a 5-3 record and 2.99 ERA, also looks to make an impact after delaying his start due to illness.
