Ohtani 'out of sync' with catcher Rushing, rebounds as Dodgers win MINNEAPOLIS -- Shohei Ohtani forcefully rebounded from a rough inning on the mound to earn yet another win for the major league-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-way superstar carried his struggling catcher Dalton Rushing along with him, showing there's even more to his marvelous game than simply pitching and hitting. Ohtani had eight strikeouts over six innings before yielding to the bullpen in the 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, and he helped himself at the plate with an RBI single to spark a three-run third inning that put the Dodgers in front for the rest of the night. But the bottom of the second at Target Field -- where the Twins announced their first sellout of the season -- was ugly. Three hits off Ohtani loaded the bases with one out, before he and Rushing got crossed up on a pitch that escaped the catcher's glove and zipped toward the backstop to let in a run. Two more scored on Ryan Kreidler's single that gave the Twins a 3-1 lead. Rushing, the 2022 second-round draft pick who has temporarily taken over as the primary catcher while three-time All-Star Will Smith is on the injured list with neck inflammation, was expecting an off-speed pitch. Ohtani threw a 101 mph fastball, wincing with slumped shoulders as he saw the run come across. Rushing was charged with a passed ball, making one of the three runs against Ohtani unearned. "They were just out of sync early, and you could tell," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I think both guys were frustrated and trying to get on the same page." Ohtani, through his interpreter after the game, offered his usual diplomatic assessment about his work with Rushing, who is in his second major league season.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #minnesota_twins #target_field #dalton_rushing
Shohei Ohtani bounces back in start against Twins Shohei Ohtani faced challenges in his start against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night but managed to recover after a difficult stretch of the 2026 season. The game took place at Target Field, where Ohtani, a two-way star for the Dodgers, dealt with a right middle finger blister and left knee inflammation. Despite these issues, he delivered a strong performance that contributed to a 4-3 victory for the Dodgers. The game was marked by early struggles, particularly in the bottom of the second inning. Ohtani and rookie catcher Dalton Rushing experienced miscommunication, leading to a chaotic frame. After allowing a leadoff single to Victor Caratini, two one-out singles, and a passed ball, Minnesota tied the game. Ryan Kreidler then hit a two-run single to give the Twins a 3-1 lead. Ohtani quickly adjusted, taking full control of the pitch-calling duties starting in the third inning. Through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani explained the confusion during the second inning. He noted that Rushing misinterpreted the first pitch as an offspeed offering, while Ohtani had intended the second pitch to be a fastball. "There were two pitches called," Ohtani said. "The first one was offspeed. The second pitch was a fastball. Rush thought he was getting an offspeed because I started moving after the first pitch was called, but what I had in mind was the second pitch, which was a fastball." By the third inning, Ohtani had recalibrated his approach, and the results were immediate. He struck out the side in the bottom of the third, fanning Byron Buxton, Kody Clemens, and Josh Bell. The right-hander then retired 13 of the final 15 batters he faced, finishing his start with four consecutive scoreless innings.#shohei_ohtani #minnesota_twins #target_field #dalton_rushing #david_roberts
Dodgers Get Injury Updates on Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing Steady downpours at Target Field in Minneapolis led to significant adjustments for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup, pushing the scheduled first pitch back to 7:05 p.m. The rain delay disrupted pregame routines, including canceled batting practice, and prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to provide updates on two players who suffered injuries during Monday’s series opener. Right fielder Kyle Tucker and catcher Dalton Rushing both exited the game in the same inning, raising concerns about their availability for the remainder of the series. Tucker, who left the game early due to lower back spasms, was officially ruled out for Tuesday’s contest. The 29-year-old outfielder expressed cautious optimism, noting that he felt slightly better before the game but acknowledged that movement still caused discomfort. Roberts emphasized the team’s cautious approach, planning to keep Tucker out of the lineup for the rest of the series in Minneapolis. The manager hinted at a potential return to the lineup as early as Friday in San Diego, following a scheduled off-day on Thursday. Roberts outlined the team’s strategy, stating that the four-day window, including the off-day, would provide both physical and mental recovery. “I think that the four days, with the off-day, would be a middle [route],” Roberts said. “And so hopefully he has taken advantage of this, obviously to get right, but also kind of a mental reset. Hopefully the four days will suffice.” The manager added that Tucker’s ability to resume baseball activities on Wednesday would play a key role in determining whether he avoids the injured list entirely.#los_angeles_dodgers #kyle_tucker #minnesota_twins #target_field #dalton_rushing
White Sox Rookie Jacob Gonzalez Overcomes Struggles in Major-League Debut MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox first baseman Jacob Gonzalez faced a challenging start to his first major-league road series, struggling with strikeouts in his initial at-bats. The rookie, making his debut at Target Field, struck out six times in his first six plate appearances, a rare occurrence for a player who described himself as “not someone who strikes out a lot.” Despite the rough start, Gonzalez quickly adjusted, turning his performance around with key contributions in his third and fourth at-bats. He grounded a single to right field and walked against a left-handed pitcher, signaling a turning point in his game. Gonzalez’s breakthrough came in the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Twins, where he lined a two-run single to the opposite field, marking his first career RBI. He followed up with another single in the third inning and a walk in the eighth, showcasing his ability to adapt to the major leagues. “Today was good,” Gonzalez said after the game. “Obviously, I walked yesterday left on left and walked today. Those feel better than hits sometimes. It means you’re seeing it well.” Manager Will Venable acknowledged Gonzalez’s progress, emphasizing the importance of a young player finding his footing in the league. “It’s really nice to see,” Venable said. “Especially a young player in this league, you’re getting your footing and to be able to get results is great, especially after a run there where there were some strikeouts.” While Gonzalez is not expected to replace the production of injured first baseman Munetaka Murakami, his power potential was highlighted by his 19 home runs in 52 games at Triple-A Charlotte this season.#white_sox #target_field #munetaka_murakami #will_venable #jacob_gonzalez
Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Game Details: TV Channel, Start Time, Streaming for April 6 The Detroit Tigers will face the Minnesota Twins on Monday, April 6, 2026, in a Major League Baseball matchup at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:40 p.m. Eastern Time, marking the start of the 2026 season’s second week of action. Fans across the United States can tune in to watch the contest via multiple platforms, including traditional television and digital streaming services. The broadcast will be available on Twins.TV and Detroit SportsNet, with regional blackout restrictions in place for certain areas. For viewers outside the local broadcast region, the game can be streamed through MLB.TV on Fubo, providing access to the matchup for those unable to watch it on local channels. This arrangement reflects the league’s broader strategy to expand broadcast options, as MLB has announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of its games, making it easier for fans to find coverage of their favorite teams. The Tigers, based in Detroit, will be traveling to Minneapolis to take on the Twins, a team that has been a consistent contender in the American League Central. The game’s timing—early in the 2026 season—offers a glimpse into the competitive dynamics of the league, with both teams vying for early-season momentum. The matchup is expected to draw significant attention from baseball enthusiasts, given the historical rivalry between the two franchises and their shared divisional alignment. For those seeking real-time updates, MLB scores and results for the April 6 games will be available on usatoday.com. This resource allows fans to track the progress of the Tigers-Twins game and other matchups occurring on the same day.#detroit_tigers #usatoday_com #mlb_tv #minnesota_twins #target_field
