Freeman's 2-out RBI single in 8th inning lifts Dodgers past Royals 4-3
Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, left, hits an RBI single as Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Will Smith, second from left, watches along with catcher Freddy Fermin, right, and home plate umpire Gabe Morales during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman lined a go-ahead, two-out RBI single into center in the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Friday night.
Mookie Betts singled, took second on an errant pickoff throw by reliever Will Smith (0-3) and scored on Freeman’s hit.
Daniel Hudson (3-1) got the win with a scoreless inning of relief and Alex Vesia pitched the ninth to earn his third save.
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia, left, and catcher Will Smith congratulate each other after the Dodgers defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Royals had the tying run at first with two outs in the ninth on a single by pinch hitter Nelson Velazquez, but Nick Loftin flied out to end it.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Miguel Rojas, left, heads to first for a two-run home run as Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans watches during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers tied the game 3-3 with two outs in the fifth with offense from the bottom half of the lineup.
Miguel Rojas hit a two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole and one batter later Chris Taylor went deep to tie it up. It was Taylor's first homer since Sept. 7.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Miguel Rojas, left, has sunflower seeds thrown at him by Teoscar Hernández after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“It was more relief than anything,” said Taylor, who came in hitting .100. "I definitely have my moments of frustration. Just trying to embrace the process and trust that my work's eventually going to come through for me."
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after the Dodgers defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers are 19-0 when Rojas gets a hit.
“Not playing every day is kind of like a challenge, but at the end of the day the biggest key for me is facing every game like it’s a playoff game,” Rojas said.
Visiting Dodger Stadium for the first time since 2017, the Royals made themselves right at home.
Salvador Perez blasted a 437-foot homer that came off his bat at 113.3 mph, traveling most of the way up the left-field pavilion in the fourth. Maikel Garcia singled, took second on Bobby Witt Jr.’s groundout and moved to third on Gavin Stone’s wild pitch. Vinnie Pasquantino walked to set up Perez, who made it 3-0.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first as he grounds out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Perez left the game in the eighth.
Witt Jr., who came in with a .330 average, went 0 for 4 on his 24th birthday. He made a nifty over-the-shoulder catch of Andy Pages, threw to second and Loftin fired to first to complete the Royals' second double play of the game in the seventh.
Dodgers starter Stone allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked two.
Royals starter Cole Ragans gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked one.
The Dodgers improved to 16-1 at home against the Royals, who were swept in their last visit.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: INF-OF Adam Frazier was activated from the bereavement list.
Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (shoulder) will start Wednesday at Colorado.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ROYALS TRADE
Kansas City traded minor league catcher Logan Porter to the San Francisco Giants for cash or a player to be named later.
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (9-2, 2.36 ERA) starts Saturday coming off his first loss since April 21. He's allowed nine runs in 13 innings over his last two starts.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 3.00) goes Saturday after having his scheduled Thursday start pushed back for extra rest.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a foul ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, right, celebrates with Vinnie Pasquantino as he scores after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, right, watches his ball go out for a three-run home run along with Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)