The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 4-3 win on Wednesday night, but much of the postgame attention centered on catcher Dalton Rushing.
Los Angeles improved to 52-29 behind another solid outing from Shohei Ohtani, who moved to 8-2 on the season. Ohtani worked six innings, allowing three runs, two of them earned, on five hits while striking out eight batters. His ERA dropped to 1.58 as he helped the Dodgers secure the series sweep.
The game turned tense in the second inning when Minnesota loaded the bases. Ohtani and Rushing were not on the same page during one sequence, resulting in a passed ball that allowed a run to score. Rushing was expecting an off-speed pitch, while Ohtani pitched a 101 mph fastball that got past the catcher. Two additional runs later crossed the plate on a Ryan Kreidler single, giving the Twins a 3-1 advantage.
Rushing also appeared to disagree with Ohtani's decision to challenge a pitch call through the automated ball-strike system earlier in the game. The challenge was successful, as the review showed Ohtani's 89 mph sweeper clipped the strike zone.
The rocky inning didn't faze Ohtani, who bounced back quickly. He struck out the side in the third inning and retired his final seven batters. He also contributed offensively with an RBI single during a three-run third inning that helped Los Angeles reclaim the lead.
After the game, Rushing praised Ohtani while admitting he himself needs to do a better job supporting the starter from behind the plate.
“I think he did a good job,” said Rushing. “I didn't do a great job, start to finish. Pretty embarrassing. Thankfully, he's as good as he is, and he can take control of a game. Pretty embarrassing.”
Dalton Rushing not happy with his game and took accountability after the game. #Dodgers #Twins https://t.co/kL2B9oD5JI
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 25, 2026
The catcher also acknowledged support from manager Dave Roberts, first baseman Freddie Freeman and the coaching staff, but said he should have never put himself in a position for it to happen.
“It's great. They always have my back,” Rushing added. “Once again, it's embarrassing that I need support like that. I'm a grown man. It's a pretty tough pill to swallow. Both sides of the ball, it was not a great showing. Hasn't been great as of late. I'm going to be better.”
It wasn't his night at the plate either, as Rushing went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He is batting .245 this season with eight home runs and 22 RBIs.
Meanwhile, Mookie Betts starred offensively, going 3-for-4 and hitting the 300th home run of his career. Alex Call, Max Muncy and Ohtani each drove in runs, while Tanner Scott recorded his 11th save. Kyle Hurt and Alex Vesia combined for two scoreless innings of relief to secure the one-run victory.
