Shohei Ohtani had two doubles and a home run, marking his third homer in five games, to match his personal best with three extra-base hits. This boosted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.
James Outman sealed the win with a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning. Freddie Freeman and Will Smith also contributed with RBIs, while Evan Phillips secured his fourth save.
Dodgers’ newcomer James Paxton, who earned his second win, praised Ohtani’s impact, highlighting his impressive power at bat.
Manny Margot initially gave the Twins a lead with a two-run homer, but the Dodgers’ strong lineup proved too much for their depleted bullpen. Despite Bailey Ober’s solid performance, limiting the Dodgers to one run in five innings, the Twins couldn’t hold on.
Ohtani’s double in the sixth, followed by a single from Smith, helped tie the game. Then, Outman’s homer off Jay Jackson’s pitch in the seventh secured the Dodgers’ lead.
Ohtani, who disclosed using a cricket-style bat for practice, has been on a hot streak lately, with 11 hits in his last five games, including eight extra-base hits and five RBIs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who had a modest home run record during his playing days, noted Ohtani’s remarkable performance, highlighting his three homers in just 13 games with the team.
