Full Breakdown
Dodgers Edge Twins 4-3 as Ohtani Takes Over Pitch-Calling
6/25/2026, 1:52:39 PM
Background: Catcher Rotation and Injuries
Will Smith remains on the 10-day injured list with neck inflammation, leaving rookie catcher Dalton Rushing as the primary backstop for Los Angeles. Rushing entered the lineup after a concussion protocol on June 22 and was slated to continue despite a brief concussion test. The Dodgers also dealt with outfielder Kyle Tucker’s low-back spasms, but both players were expected to return soon.
Game Timeline: Key Moments at Target Field
- Top of the 2nd: Ohtani surrendered four singles, loading the bases. A 101 mph fastball slipped past Rushing’s mitt, resulting in a passed ball and the Twins’ first run. Two more scored on Ryan Kreidler’s single, giving Minnesota a 3-1 lead.
- Mid-2nd: After the miscue, pitching coach Mark Prior huddled with Ohtani and Rushing. Ohtani assumed pitch-calling duties, challenging a borderline ball that was later upheld by Statcast.
- Bottom of the 2nd: Ohtani’s RBI single sparked a three-run third-inning rally, with Max Muncy and Alex Call adding runs.
- 3rd-6th: Ohtani retired 13 of the final 15 batters, striking out eight over six innings. He finished with five hits allowed, two earned runs, and a 4-3 victory.
Performance Data
- Shohei Ohtani: 6 IP, 8 K, 2 ER (3 R total, 1 unearned), 5 H, 2 BB; batting 2-for-5 with an RBI single. Season line: 8-2 record, 1.58 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 86:24 K/BB ratio, .338 average, 7 HR, 24 RBI.
- Dalton Rushing: 0-for-4, 3 K, charged with a passed ball; later expressed personal frustration.
- Dodgers: 52-29 record after the win; Mookie Betts hit his 300th career home run.
Impact on Dodgers’ Season
The win extended Los Angeles’ MLB-leading streak and marked Ohtani’s eighth victory, reinforcing his two-way value. The episode highlighted the battery’s communication challenges, underscoring the need for a seamless catcher-pitcher partnership while Smith remains unavailable.
Official Statements & Responses
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that the battery was “out of sync early” and that both Ohtani and Rushing were “frustrated” but ultimately refocused. He emphasized that Rushing’s priority remains serving pitchers and that the situation is “a work in progress.” Ohtani, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, said the team must improve “communication throughout the game” and that he took over pitch-calling to demonstrate his style and help Rushing adjust.
Criticism & Opposition
Rushing described the miscommunication as “embarrassing,” acknowledging personal responsibility for the passed ball and expressing disappointment in needing extra support. He characterized the episode as a “tough pill to swallow,” reflecting internal pressure to perform at the major-league level.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact run breakdown: some list three runs total with two earned, while others cite two earned runs and one unearned run from the passed ball. Ohtani’s ERA with Smith is reported as 0.74 over his first ten starts, contrasted with a 4.34 ERA across three starts with Rushing. The precise status of Rushing’s concussion clearance after the second test remains unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Good thing he's as good as he is and he can take control of the game, but it's pretty embarrassing,” — Dalton Rushing, Catcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
- “The in-game flexibility, reading the swings, reading how the hitters are really taking their approach during the game -- that's how I see what adjustment needs to happen,” — Shohei Ohtani, Pitcher/Designated Hitter, Los Angeles Dodgers
- “One is by words, but the other way to be able to communicate is by example, and just taking the charge and showing Rush what kind of pitching style I’m capable of.” — Shohei Ohtani, via interpreter Will Ireton
- “They've always got my back. Once again, it's embarrassing that I need support like that. I'm a grown man, and it's a pretty tough pill to swallow.” — Dalton Rushing, Catcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
- “That’s all I was trying to do, was just keep him focused on not letting his emotions get the best of him, whether it be at bat or, Shohei’s trying to figure some things out,” — Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers
What’s Next
Ohtani is scheduled to start against the Oakland Athletics on the upcoming road trip. The Dodgers plan to keep Rushing as the primary catcher pending his concussion evaluation, while Will Smith remains on the IL. Monitoring Tucker’s back health and Rushing’s communication with the pitching staff will be critical for maintaining the team’s momentum.
