The Dodgers started the road trip against the Twins with another tight game, amusingly with their opener faltering before Eric Lauer turned in a gem via six no-hit innings as he continues to be productive in a spot role. The offense was provided by two solo homers from Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, and that managed to stand up in a 2-1 victory.
Unfortunately, it did potentially cost Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing.
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Things didn’t start well for Twins starter Zebby Matthews, as Shohei Ohtani deposited his second pitch of the game over the right-field fence for a 1-0 Dodgers lead.
Two pitches in and it’s 1-0 Dodgers courtesy of Shohei. pic.twitter.com/YIwTpgcSDY
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 22, 2026
That was his 17th of the season, sixth leadoff home run of the season, and seventh in June.
It looked like the Dodgers might get the bats going after that, but no such luck. They stranded a one-out walk and single in the 2nd, went down in order in the 3rd, left a pair of two out singles in the 4th, and did nothing in the 5th. Matthews seemed to have been well settled in at that point.
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On the other side, Will Klein started for the Dodgers as an opener, and things went just about the opposite as planned. After a strikeout, he gave up a solo shot to Byron Buxton to basically immediately tie the game at 1-1.
Byron Buxton hits his 25th home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/HKgDiVcy6Q
— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2026
Another strikeout followed, but then a walk and single put him in trouble before he was able to mercifully escape.
Fortunately then, Eric Lauer was on his game tonight. He retired the first six batters he faced before issuing a lead-off walk in the 4th, but then got the next three without issue to strand that runner. Lauer issued another walk with two outs in the 5th but stranded him as well, then worked around a lead-off walk in the 6th for good measure. He did things the easy way in the 7th, posting a clean inning to complete what could’ve potentially been a no-hit bid.
Yes, that’s right, he didn’t allow a hit: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 84 Pitches.
Lauer gets a flyout to end the 7th to conclude 6 no-hit innings. I know you thought he’d get a dramatic music reel tonight. pic.twitter.com/E7hze0R3H9
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 23, 2026
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Lauer also exited with the lead, as Freddie Freeman led off the 6th with his 13th dinger of the year to put the Dodgers up 2-1.
Dodgers take the lead on a solo shot from Freddie, his 13th. pic.twitter.com/fTPVoB9BmW
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 23, 2026
Despite allowing a walk and a one-out single, Matthews remained in and managed to not allow further damage in the frame.
The Twins pen faced the minimum in the 7th and worked around a two-out double in the 8th, then the Dodgers resumed stranding guys in the 9th after a two-out single and intentional walk to Shohei with first base occupied.
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So the smallest of leads needed to be protected.
To close the game out, Kyle Hurt entered in the 8th for the heart of the order and gave up a lead-off single, but responded with three outs in a row to pass the baton.
Tanner Scott then entered for the 9th, starting with two outs on just five pitches, then took a whole six pitches for the final out to secure the win.
Tanner Scott gets the final out in a 1-2-3 frame for the save. Nightmarish two-game losing streak over. Pray for Dodgers fans. pic.twitter.com/ctepaerKGd
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 23, 2026
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As far as the aforementioned injuries go, Kyle Tucker exited with lower back spasms after keeling over on the bases,
Kirsten reported it’s lower back spasms. https://t.co/MhLo6r3hF1
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 23, 2026
Dalton Rushing left to get checked for a concussion after taking a foul tip to the mask on the first pitch of the game.
After Rushing took a foul tip off the mask on the first pitch of the game, he’s now out in the 3rd and replaced by Chuckie. Less than ideal start to the series. pic.twitter.com/cW080auWXy
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 23, 2026
Dalton Rushing left the game to rule out a concussion.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 23, 2026
Costly win.
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50-29, losing “streak” ended.
The series continues tomorrow on TBS at 1:40 PM HT/4:40 PM PT/7:10 PM ET with Justin Wrobleski looking to continue his successful season against Joe Ryan.
