Cody Snavely
Game 71, 6/14/2024: Dodgers 4, Royals 3
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Los Angeles kicks off the final three games of its six-game homestand with an interleague matchup with the surprising Kansas City Royals. The Royals entered today’s game ten games over .500 and were second in the American League Central.
However, both teams are currently in a funk. The Dodgers and Royals enter today’s meeting 5-5 over their last ten games. The Dodgers lost two of three against the defending World Series Champions, while the Royals were dismantled by the New York Yankees despite having a walk-off win on Thursday.
The Dodgers, who have been blessed with exceptional pitching this year, are set to rely on Gavin Stone. Stone, who has been a standout performer since May 1st with a 5-1 record and a 1.90 ERA, has been the Dodgers’ most consistent pitcher, going six innings every start besides one.
The Royals would turn to Cole Ragans, who was traded to Kansas City last year by the Rangers for Aroldis Chapman but quickly became the Royals ace, going 5-2 with a 2.64 with the Royals in 2023.
Despite scoring fifteen runs on Tuesday, the Dodgers offense only scored three runs combined in the final two games, which was a massive reason why the team dropped a winnable series as they look to turn the page for tonight’s game.
Stone and Ragans would trade multiple scoreless innings until Gavin Stone would allow a hit, a four-pitch walk, then a three-run bomb to veteran catcher Salvador Pérez, who hit it nearly to the concourse area.
The offense had no answers for the Royals’ pitching, collecting only two hits in the first four and two third innings of play, one of which was an infield single by center fielder Andy Pages.
However, in the fifth, the Dodgers would get on the board with their own blast, thanks to a two-run shot Miguel Rojas, who continues to turn heads and attract fans with his offensive production in 2024.
However, they were not done yet, as Chris Taylor, who has struggled all season long, smashed a home run of his own, the first of this difficult season for Taylor.
The Dodgers went back-to-back in the most unlikely of ways as the eighth and ninth hitters tied the game up three apiece, entering the sixth inning.
The game would remain tied until the bottom of the eighth inning when the top of the order finally decided to get in on the action. Mookie Betts started the rally with a hot shot off the third baseman’s glove for a single. Then, he took second base on an errant pickoff throw. After a Shohei popout, first baseman Freddie Freeman dug in, looking to break the tie. He responded to the moment, ripping an RBI single to center field that scored Mookie Betts with what would turn out to be the game winner.
Alex Vesia came on in the ninth to pitch a scoreless frame and secure the victory for the home team. It was a rare use of Vesia in a save situation, more evidence of just how far he has climbed up the bullpen depth chart in 2024.
The Dodgers win 4-3 as they snap their two-game losing streak. The two sides will pick up game two tomorrow night, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto taking the ball for the first time since tossing a career-high in pitches last start.
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