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Shohei Ohtani Rebounds From Ugly Start, Confusion with Catcher

The Minnesota Twins were giving L.A. Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani all he could handle, but good pitchers adjust. That's exactly what Ohtani did after allowing three runs in two innings. He adjusted.

Sports • June 25, 2026
Written by ZACH ROBERTS
Photography JESSE JOHNSON-IMAGN IMAGES


The Los Angeles Dodgers fell behind early against the Minnesota Twins after an ugly second inning from ace Shohei Ohtani. It was embodied perfectly by a mix-up between him and catcher Dalton Rushing, which forced a third run across in what was beginning to look like the first nightmare start of Ohtani’s brilliant season.

But, as is often the case, Ohtani was able to rebound and turn things around. He was also able to help Rushing, a controversial figure with non-Dodgers fans across the sport, and create some much-needed chemistry with primary catcher Will Smith on the Injured List.

Shohei Ohtani bounces back from early mistakes

Three straight hits loaded the bases with one out against Shohei Ohtani. His season WHIP, even after last night, is 0.90. That suggests that it is very difficult to ever string together that many hits against one of the best pitchers in the sport.

Once the bases were loaded, Ohtani threw a 101-mph pitch when Dalton Rushing was expecting a breaking ball. A frustrated Rushing could only watch as the third run dashed across home plate, going as an unearned run because of Rushing’s passed ball.

From then on, the duo was lights out, even if Rushing struggled mightily at the plate (o-4 with three strikeouts on the day). “They were just out of sync early, and you could tell,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think both guys were frustrated and trying to get on the same page.”

Ohtani ended up going six innings and allowing five hits with two walks and two earned runs (plus one unearned). He added eight strikeouts, plus he added two hits and an RBI at the plate. His season numbers remain sparkling on the mound: 8-2 with a 1.58 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 86 strikeouts in 79.2 innings. He has also produced 2.5 bWAR.

Dalton Rushing comments

Shohei Ohtani had to bounce back from his rough start to the contest. The Minnesota Twins were giving him all he could handle, but good pitchers adjust. That’s exactly what Ohtani did after allowing three runs in two innings. He adjusted.

“The in-game flexibility, reading the swings, reading how the hitters are really taking their approach during the game — that’s how I see what adjustment needs to happen,” Ohtani said. “In that sense, I personally realized we just have to be better at being on the same page and communicating throughout the game.”

Dalton Rushing was not happy with allowing that run to cross on a passed ball, and not happy that Ohtani had to take over pitch-calling from then on. But he’s grateful that it worked out, and he’s happy the Dodgers were able to get a win.

“Good thing he’s as good as he is and he can take control of the game, but it’s pretty embarrassing,” said Rushing. “They’ve always got my back. Once again, it’s embarrassing that I need support like that. I’m a grown man, and it’s a pretty tough pill to swallow.” Ohtani viewed it differently, saying it was a great opportunity to show his backup catcher the style he likes to pitch with and how he wants to attack a game for any future pairings between the two.

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Zach Roberts
By Zach Roberts
Zachary Roberts has written in the sports industry for over four years. He's covered the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle Seahawks, and wider coverage of the NFL, pro golf, NHL, MLB, and NBA. He has worked with ComicBook, Sportskeeda, The Sporting News, and the On SI Network. In his free time, Zachary loves playing video games, watching movies, or reading books.

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