Hit Batter Dooms Royals in 5-4 Loss to Dodgers

If there was one True Royals Outcome over the past two months, it was that Wade Davis would get the Royals out of whatever trouble they may find themselves in when he is in the game. Unfortunately, that magical run ended tonight at the worst possible time, as Davis forced in the winning run with a bases loaded hit by pitch in the Royals 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The game got off to as perfect a start as it could have for the Royals. After James Shields got through a perfect top of the first, Lorenzo Cain led off the bottom of the inning with a home run that landed in the waterfalls in left. However, after a walk to Eric Hosmer, Dodgers starter Dan Haren regrouped and escaped the inning without further trouble.

The Dodgers got the run back in the top of the second. Matt Kemp led off the frame with a home run of his own to right, tying the game. Los Angeles took the lead in the next inning, as Dee Gordon tripled with one out, scoring on a balk by Shields. For Shields, that was the second time in three games that he balked in a run from third while trying to pick off the runner. Yasiel Puig followed with another triple, scoring on a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.

Kansas City got a run back in the bottom of the fourth. Alex Gordon, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second with two outs and Mike Moustakas at the plate. After a lengthy battle, Moustakas ripped a single to right, plating Gordon and cutting the lead to one.

Once again, the Dodgers answered. In the top of the fifth, it was once again the Gordon and Puig Show. Gordon singled to center with one out, and promptly stole second. Puig followed with a double to left, scoring Gordon to extend the Dodgers lead back to a two run advantage.

More from KC Royals News

The Royals came right back, with an unlikely source providing the firepower. Jarrod Dyson, not known for his power, blasted a leadoff home run over the bullpen in right to cut the Dodgers lead to 4-3. After a one out single by Lorenzo Cain and a walk to Hosmer, the Dodgers pulled Dan Haren, bringing in the well traveled Jamey Wright. Wright’s second offering went wide for a wild pitch, moving the runners to second and third. Billy Butler grounded out to short to tie the game, but Alex Gordon struck out to leave the go ahead run at third.

The game remained tied until the top of the eighth. Wade Davis, who had been stellar over the past two months entered the game, and the Dodgers came to life. Adrian Gonzalez led off with a base hit, and a one out single by Andre Either put runners at the corners. Justin Turner hit a grounder back to Davis, resulting in Gonzalez getting caught in a rundown before being tagged for the second out. After a walk, Davis found himself with a 1-2 count to A.J. Ellis, a strike away from escaping another jam. Only this time, Davis came too far inside, allowing Ellis to turn into the pitch to force home the go ahead run.

Kansas City appeared to have a chance in the bottom of the ninth against Brian Wilson. Danny Valencia singled with one out, and was lifted for pinch runner Pedro Ciriaco. Ciriaco took off for second, and was initially called out on the stolen base attempt. Ned Yost argued the call, resulting in Ciriaco being called safe on review and putting the tying run in scoring position. Lorenzo Cain hit a line drive that appeared to be destined for the right field corner, only first baseman Scott Van Slyke made a leaping catch at the top of his glove. His throw to second doubled off Ciriaco, who was going on contact, to end the game and send the Royals to a rough 5-4 loss.

Wade Davis took the loss, allowing a run on two hits, a walk and a hit batter in his inning of work. James Shields had another up and down outing in the no decision, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out two in seven innings.

Cain and Moustakas each had two hits in the loss.

Home/KC Royals News