Shohei Ohtani takes over pitch-calling to lead Dodgers past Twins 4-3
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani overcame a volatile start marked by systematic miscommunication with rookie catcher Dalton Rushing to lead his team to a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
Despite falling into a three-run deficit early at Target Field, Ohtani took over his own pitch-calling duties and delivered a crucial RBI single to spark a comeback. The win solidifies the Dodgers’ position at the top of the major leagues with a 52-29 record.
Shohei Ohtani takes command after battery dysfunction
The game began with visible friction as Shohei Ohtani and Dalton Rushing appeared “out of sync” during the first two innings, leading to a disastrous second frame. With the bases loaded, a pitch cross-up occurred when Dalton Rushing anticipated an off-speed delivery.
Instead, Shohei Ohtani fired a 101 mph fastball that deflected off the catcher’s mitt and out of play, allowing the Minnesota Twins to score their first run. Dalton Rushing was charged with a passed ball on the play, contributing to a three-run inning for Minnesota.
The tension between the pitcher and catcher peaked during an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge in the second inning. While Dalton Rushing believed a pitch had missed low, Shohei Ohtani adamantly tapped his hat to trigger a challenge. Statcast data later proved the pitcher correct by just 0.3 inches.
Similar to how professional athletes must manage internal friction, Shohei Ohtani opted to take charge of the game’s rhythm himself to prevent further damage.
Following the three-run second inning, Shohei Ohtani personaly initiated the Dodgers’ response in the third. He hit an RBI single as part of a 2-for-5 performance at the plate, igniting a three-run rally that eventually put Los Angeles in front. From that point on, Shohei Ohtani assumed full pitch-calling responsibilities from the mound using PitchCom, shutting out the Minnesota Twins through the sixth inning.
Under the guidance of manager Dave Roberts, the Dodgers have leaned on Dalton Rushing as the primary catcher while three-time All-Star Will Smith recovers from neck inflammation. Dalton Rushing, the 2022 second-round draft pick, admitted the performance was “embarrassing” and took full responsibility for the second-inning error.
Key details
The learning curve has been clear; Shohei Ohtani holds a 0.74 ERA with Will Smith this season, compared to a 4.34 ERA in three starts with Dalton Rushing.
Defensive resilience and milestones at Target Field
Shohei Ohtani’s final pitching line included six innings, five hits, and eight strikeouts. While he allowed three runs, only two were earned due to the earlier defensive miscue. He now holds an 8-2 pitching record for the season.
Mookie Betts provided significant support, hitting his 300th career home run as part of a three-hit day, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle.
Just as star player absences can disrupt team flow, the Dodgers are navigating the temporary loss of Will Smith by relying on their veteran core to mentor younger talents like Dalton Rushing.
The sellout crowd of 39,853 in Minneapolis watched as the Dodgers bullpen protected the narrow lead. Tanner Scott pitched the ninth inning to earn his 11th save, securing the victory against Twins starter Joe Ryan, who entered the game with a 5-4 record.
Despite the early “out of sync” drama, Shohei Ohtani noted through interpreter Will Ireton that communicating by example was the most effective way to show Dalton Rushing the necessary pitching style.
Upcoming series and rotation shifts
The Los Angeles Dodgers will now travel to San Diego for a three-game series beginning Friday. The rotation features RHP Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers, while the Padres are scheduled to start RHP Randy Vásquez. The team is hoping for a more seamless battery performance as they look to maintain their league-leading pace without Will Smith.
Shohei Ohtani’s ability to reach base in 23 consecutive road games remains a bright spot for the offense, but the focus remains on the pitcher-catcher chemistry.
While the Dodgers found a way to win at Target Field, the second-order implication for the team is a renewed urgency to get Will Smith back or fast-track Dalton Rushing’s rapport with the staff.
Gritty wins like this one prove the Dodgers can adapt, but they would prefer to avoid the high-wire act of mid-game pitch-calling takeovers.