Chris Taylor added to his remarkable season and current hot stretch, driving in two as part of a four-run fourth inning that led to the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Minnesota Twins, 6-2. The Dodgers improved their MLB-best home record to 43-13 and are now on a four-game winning streak.
The Twins were first to score, which was sparked by a Jorge Polanco leadoff walk in the third inning, followed by Jason Castro’s single. The baserunner and hit were the first Maeda allowed in the game.
He nearly stranded both runners by striking out the next two batters faced, but Zack Granite lined an RBI single into center field.
Cody Bellinger singled off Jose Berrios to open the bottom of the fourth, then stole second base. Joc Pederson’s line-drive RBI double that was scorched off the wall in center field.
Chase Utley and Yasiel Puig singled, with Puig’s scoring the go-ahead run. Taylor’s two-run double extended the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1. The team’s hottest hitter followed Logan Forsythe’s RBI single in the sixth inning with a run-scoring double.
That came after an 18-minute delay due to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts challenging a Twins’ double-switch. The umpires huddle for several minutes, spoke with each manager, then went into a review to look over the lineup card. There was mass confusion, and the end result had Eddie Rosario removed from the game.
Pressed into starting duty because of a blister forcing Brandon McCarthy to the 10-day disabled list, Kenta Maeda gave the Dodgers five well-pitched innings. Aside from the run scored on Granite’s single, an unearned run came across in the fifth.
A challenge by the Twins on a close play at first base put Brian Dozier aboard with one out on Corey Seager’s throwing error. Once again Maeda allowed the damage to come on two outs, as Joe Mauer and Eduardo Escobar both singled.
The book closed on the right-hander at 91 pitches, two runs (one earned) allowed, five hits,
two walks and four strikeouts.
Luis Avilan and Josh Ravin combined to throw four scoreless innings, with Ravin converting a three-inning save to wrap up the Dodgers’ win.
