--- title: "Dodgers edge Twins in tight late-inning finish" description: "Corey Seager’s go-ahead single in the eighth lifts Los Angeles past Minnesota 4-3, keeping the Dodgers in the NL West hunt." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-vs-minnesota-twins-game-highlights-86849158 published: 2026-06-30T23:49:44.224+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T23:49:44.224+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Dodgers edge Twins in tight late-inning finish > Corey Seager’s go-ahead single in the eighth lifts Los Angeles past Minnesota 4-3, keeping the Dodgers in the NL West hunt. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on a go-ahead single by Corey Seager in the eighth inning at Target Field. The Dodgers struck first in the top of the second when Mookie Betts lined a two-run single off Minnesota starter Pablo López, putting Los Angeles up 2-0. The Twins answered in the bottom half, with Byron Buxton driving in two runs on a sacrifice fly and a groundout to tie the game at 2-2. Minnesota’s early resilience mirrored their season-long tendency to bounce back from deficits, a trait that has kept them competitive despite inconsistent starts. Los Angeles regained the lead in the third on a sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman, but Minnesota tied it again in the fourth on a solo home run by Luis Arraez. The game remained deadlocked until the eighth, when Seager lined a one-out single to right field off Twins reliever Jhoan Duran, scoring Will Smith from second and breaking a 3-3 tie. The sequence highlighted Seager’s ability to deliver in high-pressure spots, a skill that has defined his postseason reputation. The Dodgers’ bullpen held firm in the ninth, with closer Craig Kimbrel striking out the side to secure the win. Minnesota managed just one hit in the final three innings, leaving runners in scoring position in both the seventh and eighth. The Twins’ late-inning struggles have become a recurring theme, with their bullpen ranking among the league’s worst in save conversion rates this season. Postgame, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Seager’s clutch hitting and Kimbrel’s composure, calling it a "big road win" in a tight division race. Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli acknowledged his team’s missed opportunities, particularly with runners left on base, noting that "we had chances but couldn’t finish them." The Dodgers’ win also exposed the volatility of the NL West, where a single series can swing playoff positioning dramatically. With the Diamondbacks and Giants lurking just behind, Los Angeles can’t afford to let road wins like this one slip away. For Minnesota, the loss extends a troubling trend: they’ve now lost four of their last five games, all by one or two runs, exposing both bullpen fragility and a lack of late-game composure that could haunt them down the stretch. Beyond the standings, the game underscored a broader narrative in the National League. The Dodgers’ ability to manufacture runs without relying on home runs—just four total hits on the night—contrasts sharply with Minnesota’s power-dependent approach, which saw Arraez’s solo shot as their only extra-base hit. This tactical disparity reflects a league-wide shift toward small-ball efficiency, where contact and situational hitting often trump raw power in close games. The Twins’ offensive profile has increasingly relied on Arraez’s contact-heavy approach, but their lack of timely hitting in high-leverage spots has neutralized that advantage. Meanwhile, Los Angeles’ depth in the middle of the order—Freeman, Seager, and Smith—continues to be the engine that drives their late-game success, a formula that has paid dividends in both the regular season and postseason. What's next: The Dodgers head to San Diego for a three-game series against the Padres starting Friday, a matchup that could further shape the NL West standings. For the Twins, the focus shifts to shoring up their bullpen execution as they host the White Sox for a weekend set in Minneapolis, where every game carries added weight in the Wild Card race. The Dodgers’ win also underscores the volatility of the NL West, where a single series can swing playoff positioning dramatically. With the Diamondbacks and Giants lurking just behind, Los Angeles can’t afford to let road wins like this one slip away. For Minnesota, the loss extends a troubling trend: they’ve now lost four of their last five games, all by one or two runs, exposing both bullpen fragility and a lack of late-game composure that could derail their playoff push if unaddressed. ## Why this matters This victory keeps the Dodgers within striking distance of the NL West lead while exposing the Twins’ struggles in late-inning pressure situations. For Los Angeles, Seager’s timely hit underscores their depth in high-leverage moments, while Minnesota’s inability to close out games raises questions about bullpen execution. The result also shifts the Wild Card picture slightly, tightening the race in both leagues. The Dodgers’ road resilience contrasts sharply with Minnesota’s home struggles, where they’ve dropped five of their last seven games at Target Field, a trend that could derail their playoff push if unaddressed. The game also highlighted a tactical shift in the National League, where small-ball efficiency is increasingly trumping power-dependent approaches in close contests, a dynamic that could define the playoff push for both teams. ## Frequently asked ### Who scored the go-ahead run for the Dodgers? Corey Seager’s eighth-inning single drove in Will Smith, putting Los Angeles ahead 4-3. ### Which Twins players drove in runs? Byron Buxton and Luis Arraez each drove in two runs for Minnesota, with Buxton tallying via a sacrifice fly and a groundout, and Arraez hitting a solo home run. ### How did the Dodgers’ bullpen perform? Closer Craig Kimbrel retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, striking out the side to preserve the win. ### What’s next for the Dodgers and Twins? The Dodgers travel to San Diego for a three-game series against the Padres, while the Twins host the White Sox for a weekend set in Minneapolis. ### How has Minnesota’s bullpen performed recently? The Twins’ bullpen ranks among the league’s worst in save conversion rates this season, compounding their late-inning struggles. ### What does this loss mean for the Twins’ playoff chances? The loss extends a five-game slide, with four of those defeats coming by one or two runs, highlighting both bullpen fragility and a lack of late-game composure that could derail their playoff push. ## Sources & Citations - [Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Minnesota Twins: Game Highlights](https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/49161316/game-highlights) — ESPN (2026-06-24) --- Cite: Dodgers edge Twins in tight late-inning finish. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/los-angeles-dodgers-vs-minnesota-twins-game-highlights-86849158