MINNEAPOLIS — Shortstop Carlos Correa’s relay throw nailed Shohei Ohtani at the plate in the seventh inning, helping The Twins hold off the Dodgers for a 3-2 victory at Wednesday afternoon at Target Field.
The result allowed the Twins to salvage a victory in their three-game series.
Starter Bobby Miller was again shaky on the mound, which led to an extended bullpen day. Alex Vesia, Michael Grove and Joe Kelly held the Twins to one run combined over four innings.
The Dodgers (10-5) scuffled on offense, leaving 17 runners on base despite getting nine hits.
Here are three takeaways:
Play at plate determines fate
In the seventh inning it looked like the Dodgers were going to tie the game as Freddie Freeman lined a ball deep into the right-field corner. Ohtani was trying to score from first but the laser-like throw by Correa to catcher Christian Vasquez narrowly got Ohtani before his foot slid across home plate.
The play was initially ruled safe but was overturned on a umpire’s review, keeping the game at 3-2. The Dodgers mustered one single in the final two innings.
Rough outing for Miller
While Miller allowed two runs over four innings, he gave up a home run and walked three en route to an early exit. Miller has been inconsistent this season, blanking the Padres over six innings and then allowing five runs to the Cubs.
He has yet to make that huge leap as a starter after going 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA last season.
Taylor’s bat still silent
Taylor has started the season 1 for 27 with 14 strikeouts. Since his breakout season in 2021 that earned him a lucrative contract, Taylor has had a ton of issues with batting average (.254 to .021 this season) and strikeouts.
Defensively, he remains dynamic and can play multiple positions at a high level, but his hitting numbers are on a downward trajectory and the bottom of the order needs more help.
It appears to be time to call up one of the top prospects in the system like right fielder Andy Pages, who is hitting .293 with two homers at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers next play at 7:10 p.m. Friday, when they return home to host the San Diego Padres. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 4.09 ERA) will face Michael King (2-0, 3.14).
