Dodgers roll past Twins to boost win streak to nine
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Max Muncy continued to rebound from a slow start to the season with a home run and Julio Urias pitched seven strong innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to a season-best nine games with a 10-3 victory Tuesday night over the Minnesota Twins.
The defeat knocked the Twins into a first-place tie in the AL Central with the Cleveland Guardians, the first time they have not held sole possession of the top spot in the division since June 24.
Trea Turner had two doubles and drove in three runs, while Cody Bellinger had a two-run double, as Los Angeles improved to a major league best 76-33, while going 31-5 since June 29. The Dodgers matched a season high with eight doubles.
In his first game back from the injured list because of an abdominal strain, the Dodgers’ Justin Turner had two hits and an RBI.
Byron Buxton hit a home run for Minnesota, while starter Joe Ryan (8-5) gave up a run in each of the first four innings and was tagged for six runs on nine hits over five innings. Minnesota fell to 1-5 over its last three road series, all against National League clubs.
The Dodgers got their offense going early when Freddie Freeman walked with two outs in the first inning and scored on a double by Will Smith when Twins center fielder Gilberto Celestino failed to field the ball cleanly.
The Twins got the run back in the second inning on Celestino’s slow roller out in front of the plate to score Gio Urshela, who tripled to center.
The Dodgers took the lead for good in their half of the second inning when Gavin Lux singled and Joey Gallo doubled with one out, with both runners scoring on Bellinger’s double. A Trea Turner double scored Bellinger for a 4-1 advantage.
The Dodgers made it 5-1 in the third inning on Muncy’s 12th home run of the season and his third since Aug. 1. Muncy was slowed at the start of the season by a left elbow injury that occurred on the final regular-season game last season.
Trea Turner added his second RBI in the fourth inning when his comebacker scored Mookie Betts. Muncy added an RBI double in the seventh and Justin Turner followed with a run-scoring grounder. Trea Turner had another RBI double in the eighth and scored on a Smith single.
Buxton’s home run, his 27th on the season, came in the eighth inning against Dodgers right-hander Phil Bickford.
Urias (12-6) gave up one run on five hits over seven innings with no walks and eight strikeouts, while winning his ninth-consecutive decision. Urias has not absorbed a loss since June 12.
The Dodgers improved to 12-4 in interleague play, with a game remaining against the Twins on Wednesday, followed by a weekend three-game series at Kansas City.
The Twins fell to 5-11 in interleague play and lost their ninth-consecutive game against the Dodgers, going back to the 2014 season. Minnesota is 1-6 all time at Dodger Stadium.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: RHP Bailey Ober (groin) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session at the team’s complex in Florida as he progresses toward a possible return in September. … OF Alex Krilloff, who is out of for the season, had surgery in Los Angeles to shorten his ulna bone in order to combat wrist issues.
Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner (abdomen) returned from the injured list and batted out of the designated hitter spot, while INF/OF Miguel Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. … RHPs Blake Treinen (shoulder) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) participated in a simulated game Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, with Treinen hitting 98 mph with his fastball and Graterol reaching as high as 100 mph. Both are expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment at Oklahoma City on Friday. … RHP Dustin May (Tommy John surgery) went five innings and threw 68 pitches in a rehab start at Oklahoma City.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Sonny Gray (6-3, 3.19) takes the mound off his third start this season of at least five scoreless innings.
Dodgers: RHP Ryan Pepiot (1-0, 2.76) is expected to be called up from the taxi squad to make the start.