Dodgers bullpen implodes as Twins even the series

Dodgers bullpen allows seven runs after Yamamoto’s solid start as Twins come away with a 10-7 victory.

The Dodgers never held a lead against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, with the bullpen imploding across the middle innings as Minnesota stole the second game of the series by a final score of 10-7.

The Twins once again got the scoring started early, this time with a misplay by Miguel Rojas on a ground ball from Royce Lewis that deflected off his glove to Mookie Betts, who fired a throw wide of the second base bag, allowing Carlos Correa to score the game’s first run. Catcher Christian Vázquez added some insurance coming from the nine spot in the order, banging a two-run double to give Minnesota a three run lead.

The Dodgers were able to put the first two men on base in the bottom half of the inning against Simeon Woods Richardson, but Michael Conforto grounded into a double play before Hyeseong Kim left a potential run at third base. The Dodgers once again put the leadoff man on in the bottom of the third, but James Outman lined a ball right to the first baseman Ty France, backpedaling to the first base bag to double up Rojas.

Woods Richardson had been solid over his first three innings of work, although he struggled mightily with his command, becoming more apparent in the fourth inning after walking the first two hitters he saw. Andy Pages made him pay as he swatted out his second home run in as many games, tying the score.

Yamamoto recovered nicely after allowing those three runs in the second inning, allowing just two baserunners over his final three innings of work, finishing with eight strikeout and one walk over five full innings while tossing 101 pitches.

Ben Casparius took over for Yamamoto in the top of the sixth inning, and he immediately ran into trouble as he loaded the bases on a double and two walks. Royce Lewis worked a walk on just four pitches to give Minnesota the lead, and Casparius grabbed his right calf, departing the game due to a cramp with the bases still loaded.

Alexis Díaz made his Dodgers debut on Tuesday, allowing a pair of runs to score that were charged to Casparius that expanded the deficit to three runs.

The Dodgers kept the battle going in the bottom half of the sixth inning, as Hyeseong Kim lined a two-run single up the middle that brought the score to a one run difference.

After Will Klein loaded the bases in the seventh inning, Edgardo Henriquez was called on to make his season debut. He got Lewis to hit a weak tapper right back to him, but bobbled the attempt and sailed the throw past Freddie Freeman and Kim, ending up ricocheting off the right field wall to clear the bases and give the Twins a four run lead. None of the runs were charged to Henriquez.

The Dodgers were down to their last out when Shohei Ohtani launched his National League lead tying 36th home run of the season, marking the first time Ohtani has homered in four straight games. It wasn’t enough to mount a comeback against Jhoan Duran, as Minnesota evened the series, sending the Dodgers to their 11th loss over their last 14 games. They still maintain a 3 ¹⁄₂ game lead in the division with the San Diego Padres losing to the Miami Marlins.

Game particulars

• Home runs— Andy Pages (19), Shohei Ohtani (36)
• WP— Brock Stewart (2-1): 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout
• LP— Ben Casparius (7-4): 0 IP, 1 hit, 3 earned runs, 3 walks, 0 strikeouts

Up next

The Dodgers will look to take the series in the rubber match against the Twins on Wednesday (1:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Tyler Glasnow gets the start for the Dodgers against Chris Paddack for Minnesota.