Twins Stun Dodgers in Wild 10-7 Slugfest: Stewart Earns Win for Minnesota

By Oliver Wiener July 24, 2025 12:25

The Minnesota Twins stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling 10-7 slugfest on July 23, 2025, at Dodger Stadium, fueled by clutch hitting and solid relief pitching from Brock Stewart, who earned the win. The Twins rallied strongly through multiple big innings, overcoming the Dodgers’ power surge led by Shohei Ohtani to claim only their third win against Los Angeles since 2017.

The Twins’ offensive firepower was on full display early and often. Royce Lewis and Christian Vazquez were the centerpiece of the attack, each driving in three runs to propel Minnesota's victory. Lewis, a Southern California native, contributed with a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the second inning, a crucial bases-loaded walk in the sixth, and a two-run grounder in the seventh aided by a Dodgers pitcher’s throwing error. Vazquez complemented the effort with timely hits, including a run-scoring single in the sixth that helped build a 6-3 lead .

Minnesota’s bats exploded in the middle innings, taking advantage of Dodgers miscues and aggressive baserunning. The Twins scored three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, with Lewis’ bases-loaded walk and subsequent grounder producing multiple runs, while Dodgers pitcher Edgardo Henriquez’s fielding error in the seventh allowed two more runs to cross the plate. These innings were decisive, shifting momentum decisively in favor of Minnesota.

The Dodgers fought back hard, powered by a three-run home run from Andy Pages and a two-run blast from Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani’s homer was especially notable as it marked his fourth consecutive game with a home run, a first for him this season. Despite this offensive surge, the Dodgers were unable to contain the Twins’ timely hitting and defensive resilience. Los Angeles managed to narrow the gap in the sixth and mounted a late two-run rally in the ninth, with an Ohtani homer and a double from Freddie Freeman contributing to their late offensive push. However, the Twins’ early lead and bullpen were enough to hold on for the win .

On the mound, reliever Brock Stewart was instrumental, pitching a scoreless fifth inning to earn his second win of the season. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto endured a tough night, giving up three runs (one earned) and five hits over five innings. Ben Casparius struggled in relief, surrendering three runs without recording an out in the sixth, further putting the Dodgers at a disadvantage.

Despite losing left-handed reliever Tanner Scott to an elbow injury the previous night and dealing with pitching challenges, the Twins showcased resilience. Manager Rocco Baldelli praised the team’s clutch performance, noting the veterans’ and young players’ combined efforts to secure a rare win in Dodger Stadium, a venue where the Twins are just 3-13 all-time including postseason games. “Royce and Christian really stepped up tonight, and the bullpen was clutch when it mattered,” Baldelli said postgame, highlighting the importance of the win for the team’s confidence.

Looking ahead, the Twins will send right-hander Chris Paddack (3-9, 5.14 ERA) to face Dodgers’ righty Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.10) in the series continuation. Minnesota’s victory sends a strong message that their balanced offensive attack and improving pitching can challenge even the strongest teams on the road.

In summary, the Twins’ 10-7 victory over the Dodgers was defined by explosive run production in middle innings, key contributions from Royce Lewis and Christian Vazquez, and crucial bullpen work from Brock Stewart. Even with the Dodgers’ power hitters active, Minnesota’s combination of timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and mental toughness sealed a memorable upset in a high-scoring, electrifying game.