The Los Angeles Dodgers successfully navigated another unexpected bullpen game and were propelled by a grand slam from James Outman to defeat the Minnesota Twins, 7-3, and clinch a series win to end the homestand.
The Dodgers avoided starting their season-long road trip on a two-game losing streak and have won six series in a row. They last suffered a series loss when dropping two of three to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park from April 27-29.
Prior to Outman breaking out of his slump with late-game fireworks, the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on Freddie Freeman’s sacrifice fly.
After the Twins pulled even in the top of the fourth, Mookie Betts put the Dodgers back ahead with an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning.
Mookie takes the lead back by driving in Outman, who singled and stole second. pic.twitter.com/EXMFLfAl2l
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) May 17, 2023
Victor González gets the #Dodgers out of the jam, retiring all three batters he faces to keep things knotted up at 2-2. pic.twitter.com/Wd8rS83dDk
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 17, 2023
JAMES OUTMAN IS A BAAAAD MAN. pic.twitter.com/45hbKxqwvr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 17, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/cYhysNRO3q
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 17, 2023
Dub. 👊 pic.twitter.com/oQw8Inr9Zf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 18, 2023
Minnesota tied the game in the sixth inning on Joey Gallo’s solo home run and took a 3-2 lead in the seventh when Caleb Ferguson threw wide of third base on his attempt to catch Willi Castro stealing.
Consecutive singles by Will Smith and Max Muncy wound up sparking a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jason Heyward kept the rally going with a walk to load the bases, and Miguel Vargas’ walk after the pitching change brought the tying run in.
Outman then connected on the first pitch he saw for a grand slam to straightaway center field. The grand slam was Outman’s second and it gave the Dodgers an MLB-best five this season.
Dodgers bullpen takes over after Dustin May injury
Dustin May pitched one inning before coming out with what’s been deemed a right flexor pronator strain. Dylan Covey, who was just added to the active roster, provided the Dodgers with four-plus innings.
He exited with the bases loaded and nobody out in the fifth inning, which Victor González got the Dodgers through by stranding all three inherited runners.
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