Empire State Review Contributor 
Shohei Ohtani delivered another electrifying performance on both sides of the ball Monday night, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers snap a three-game losing streak with a 5–2 win over the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. With a packed home crowd watching, Ohtani pitched three solid innings and launched his 35th home run of the season in the first inning—a solo shot that set the tone for the game.
Ohtani, who continues to rewrite expectations for what a Major League player can do, allowed just one run during his time on the mound, flashing velocity and control that has made him one of the most formidable dual-threat athletes in modern sports. His home run, a towering blast into the right-field seats, was a reminder of his continued dominance at the plate.
The Dodgers’ offense was bolstered further by catcher Will Smith, who belted two home runs of his own—his 21st and 22nd of the season. His contributions gave Los Angeles the edge they needed to stay ahead throughout the contest. Smith, known for his consistency behind the plate, continues to be a vital piece of the Dodgers’ offensive core.
After Ohtani’s abbreviated but impactful start, right-hander Dustin May took over on the mound and delivered 4⅔ innings of scoreless relief. May struck out four and walked none, effectively shutting down Minnesota’s lineup and preserving the Dodgers’ lead. Closer Evan Phillips secured the final four outs for his 22nd save of the season.
Manager Dave Roberts praised the performance afterward, calling it “a defining moment of brilliance on both sides of the ball.” He commended Ohtani’s poise, leadership, and game-changing presence, noting that “it’s rare to see that level of execution both pitching and hitting in a single game.”
The win was more than just a return to the win column. It broke a six-game home losing streak—the Dodgers’ longest at Dodger Stadium since 2017—and provided a much-needed confidence boost to a team battling for position in a tight National League playoff race. With the victory, the Dodgers improved their record to 56–42, maintaining pace in the NL West.
For the Twins, starter Bailey Ober took the loss after giving up three earned runs over four innings. Minnesota managed two runs in the game, one off Ohtani and another against the bullpen, but struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position. The loss drops them to 51–47, as they continue their fight in the AL Central.
The performance adds another chapter to Ohtani’s historic 2025 season, which has seen him perform at MVP-caliber levels despite managing a reduced pitching workload due to past injuries. His ability to impact games from both the mound and the batter’s box remains unmatched, and with every outing, he reinforces his status as one of the most unique and valuable players in baseball history.
As the Dodgers look ahead to the rest of the homestand, they’ll aim to build on this momentum with Ohtani and Smith leading the charge. With a postseason berth in sight, games like this one could prove pivotal in shaping the team’s trajectory through the second half of the season.
