Dodgers defeat Twins 5-2 on July 22, 2025, as Shohei Ohtani & Will Smith's homers overpower Minnesota. Can Byron Buxton's hot bat save their season?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night on the West Coast, another tough result. The Minnesota Twins ran into a buzzsaw at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, falling 5-2 to a Los Angeles team powered by the long ball. Despite getting on the board early, the Twins' offense couldn't solve Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith provided all the fireworks their team would need.
The loss drops Minnesota to 48-53, a full 11.5 games back in the AL Central.
The box score tells a frustrating story. The Twins scattered nine hits but could only push two runs across the plate, a recurring theme on this difficult road trip. Starter Simeon Woods Richardson (now 5-4) battled but was ultimately undone by the Dodgers' power hitters. Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith launched three combined home runs, showcasing the kind of game-changing power that Minnesota desperately needed. Facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto is never easy, and while the Twins managed to make contact, the clutch hits remained elusive.
If there's one unwavering positive, it's the man in center field. Byron Buxton continues to be the engine of this offense, entering the game with a stellar .292 batting average, 23 homers, and 58 RBIs. His performance has been the brightest spot in a season that's testing the patience of fans. While his bat keeps the Twins in games, Tuesday's loss was a stark reminder that one superstar can't carry the entire offensive load, especially against the league's elite.
As the team slips further in the standings, many fans are looking to the front office for a spark. However, Tuesday was a quiet day, with no new trades or roster moves announced. The last shuffle came on July 19, when Zebby Matthews returned from the IL. With the trade deadline looming and the team struggling to find consistency, the pressure is mounting. Will management make a move to bolster the lineup or the pitching staff, or will they stand pat and hope the current roster can find its footing?
The Twins will look to salvage a game against the Dodgers tomorrow before this grueling road trip continues. More than just a single win, the team needs to find a spark—and fast. With each loss, the AL Central title looks more like a distant dream, and the questions surrounding the team's direction heading into August will only get louder.
