Ohtani's Go-Ahead Homer Powers Dodgers Past Twins 5-2, Ends Skid

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025

Los Angeles Dodgers Defeat Minnesota Twins 5-2 on July 21, 2025

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on July 21, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. The win, highlighted by a strong performance from Shohei Ohtani, snapped the NL West leaders' six-game home losing streak, their longest at Dodger Stadium since September 2017.

The game started with Twins All-Star Byron Buxton hitting a leadoff home run off Shohei Ohtani in the first inning. However, Ohtani quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, hitting a go-ahead two-run homer after Mookie Betts walked, putting the Dodgers in front 2-1. This marked Ohtani's third consecutive game with a home run.

Offensive Contributions

Catcher Will Smith contributed significantly to the Dodgers' offense, hitting two home runs off Twins pitcher David Festa. Smith's first homer came in the fourth inning, a two-strike shot to center. He followed up with a 435-foot blast to left, extending the Dodgers' lead to 4-1. Andy Pages also added a solo shot later in the game off reliever Cole Sands.

Pitching Breakdown

Shohei Ohtani, pitching for the Dodgers, allowed one run on four hits and struck out three over three innings. Dustin May took over in relief, giving up five hits over 4 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking three, earning his sixth win of the season (6-6). Kirby Yates closed out the game, securing his third save. For the Twins, David Festa (3-4) was tagged with the loss.

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was in the lineup, going 1 for 4 with a strikeout, a day after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist in the previous game.

Key Moment

Minnesota shortstop Carlos Correa went 0 for 5, facing consistent boos from Dodgers fans. In the ninth inning, James Outman robbed Correa of a potential game-tying home run at the center field wall, preserving the Dodgers' lead.

Key Stat

Shohei Ohtani made history by becoming the first pitcher since Philadelphia's Randy Lerch on May 17, 1979, to both give up a home run and hit a home run in the first inning of the same game.

Up Next

The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers will face off again on Tuesday. Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 3.95 ERA) is slated to start against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7, 2.59 ERA).

In summary

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on July 21, 2025, breaking a six-game home losing streak. Shohei Ohtani was central to the victory, hitting a crucial two-run homer in the first inning immediately after giving up a leadoff home run to Byron Buxton, and pitching three innings. Will Smith added two solo home runs. Dustin May earned the win in relief, and Kirby Yates secured the save. Notable game events included Carlos Correa being booed and robbed of a ninth-inning homer by James Outman, and Ohtani's rare first-inning feat of both hitting and giving up a home run. The teams are set for a rematch, with Simeon Woods Richardson pitching for the Twins against Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers.

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