Shohei Ohtani's historic 4th straight homer isn't enough as the Dodgers fall to the Twins 10-7 on July 23. Read how walks, errors, and a big Gavin Lux trade defined a wild day.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of dizzying highs and frustrating lows at Dodger Stadium. Shohei Ohtani continued his assault on the record books, launching a home run for a career-best fourth straight game. But even his historic power wasn't enough to overcome a sloppy team performance, as the Dodgers fell to the Minnesota Twins 10-7. As if the on-field drama wasn't enough, the front office made waves by trading former top prospect Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds, signaling a significant shift in the team's infield plans.
Shohei Ohtani hit a home run for the fourth consecutive game, a new personal best, providing the main bright spot on a frustrating day for the Dodgers.
The final score of 10-7 doesn't even tell the full story of Wednesday's loss. While Ohtani's solo shot electrified the crowd, the pitching staff's lack of control was the real narrative, issuing a staggering 12 walks. This put constant pressure on the defense, which eventually cracked. A key two-run single from Hyesung Kim in the sixth inning pulled the Dodgers within one run, sparking hope of a comeback. However, a disastrous eighth inning saw defensive miscues lead to three unearned runs for the Twins, effectively sealing the Dodgers' fate. It's a recurring theme: the offense does enough to win, but self-inflicted wounds on the mound and in the field prove too much to overcome.
In a move that caught many by surprise, the Dodgers traded infielder Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. In return, Los Angeles receives minor league outfielder Mike Sirota and a competitive balance pick in next year's draft. Lux, once the organization's top prospect, had a rollercoaster tenure in LA, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling to secure a consistent, everyday role amidst a star-studded roster. This trade clears a path for other players and nets the Dodgers a promising outfield prospect and a valuable draft asset, showing the front office is still focused on building for the future even while competing now.
The team's pitching depth took another hit as reliever Tanner Scott was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, an injury that was foreshadowed by his visible discomfort in his last appearance. To fill the gap, the Dodgers recalled right-hander Alexis Díaz from Triple-A Oklahoma City, with Edgardo Henriquez heading back down. The bullpen remains a major question mark, with updates on other key arms offering mixed news. Brusdar Graterol is targeting a September return, and Michael Kopech could be back in late August. However, Kiké Hernández's elbow issue has him in a holding pattern, and Evan Phillips is, of course, out for the year. The constant shuffling highlights the urgent need for stability in the relief corps.
As the dust settles, the Dodgers find themselves in a familiar spot: boasting one of the most dangerous hitters on the planet in Shohei Ohtani, but grappling with fundamental issues in pitching and defense. The Lux trade shows the front office isn't afraid to make tough decisions to retool. But with the trade deadline looming, the pressure is on to find reinforcements, particularly for the bullpen, before these correctable mistakes cost them more than just a single game in July.
