Royals starter Daniel Lynch acknowledged the fortunate hits but still recognized them as good at-bats, stating that hits are hits regardless of how they are achieved. Lynch himself allowed three runs in the second inning but settled down to pitch five innings, throwing 108 pitches in total. He gave up five hits and three walks while striking out four.
The Dodgers had a chance to rally in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases but failed to score. Royals reliever Scott Barlow secured the final four outs of the game to earn his 10th save, completing four innings of one-run ball by the Kansas City bullpen.
Julio Urías, making his return from a hamstring injury that occurred on May 18, struggled in his outing. Last year’s National League ERA leader lasted only three innings, allowing six hits and two walks. The Royals took advantage of soft contact and bloopers to score five runs against him.
Both teams managed to manufacture runs in the game, with the Dodgers scoring three runs off Lynch in the second inning. However, their comeback attempts fell short as they left runners on base in multiple innings.
Before the game, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a session of playing catch, but there were concerns about tenderness in his shoulder. He received a shot to relieve inflammation and is scheduled to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.
In terms of transactions, the Dodgers optioned left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Urías on the roster. The Royals recalled right-handed pitcher Collin Snider from Triple-A Omaha and optioned Brooks Kriske to the same club to add depth to their bullpen.
In the injury updates, Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor is expected to remain out until after the All-Star break due to right knee soreness. Royals pitcher Jordan Lyles, who had been dealing with an illness, returned to the ballpark, and the team is monitoring his condition before deciding on his next start.
On Sunday afternoon, the Royals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1. Starting pitcher Brady Singer delivered an impressive performance, throwing seven effective innings while allowing only one run on three hits and four walks. Lopez, matching his career high, drove in four runs, while Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. each contributed two RBIs. With this collective effort, the Royals secured their first series win since May 17.
The Royals established their lead in the second inning against Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin with a single by Garcia, who had a career-best four hits. They extended their advantage in the fourth inning, scoring three more runs and forcing Gonsolin out of the game. Gonsolin allowed four runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings and has now given up 15 runs in his last 14 1/3 innings.
The Royals continued their trend of manufacturing runs without hitting home runs, relying on small ball tactics. They strung together walks and hits to score three runs in the fourth inning, and then added three more runs in the fifth inning with a combination of hits, walks, and sacrifices. In the sixth inning, they capitalized on an error and generated two more runs, extending their lead to 9-1.
The Dodgers’ only offense came in the fourth inning when J.D. Martinez drew a leadoff walk and scored on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Vargas. Apart from that, Singer shut down the potent Dodgers lineup, earning his first win since June 4. This victory marked the first time the Royals had back-to-back wins by starting pitchers in 93 games, following Daniel Lynch’s win the previous night.
Regarding Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw’s status, uncertainty remains after his recent shoulder soreness. The team has yet to decide whether Kershaw will make his next start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday or if his return will be delayed. The upcoming All-Star break also factors into the decision, potentially affecting the number of games Kershaw might miss.
In terms of injuries, the Dodgers reported that Julio Urías came out of Saturday’s game unharmed. It was Urías’ first start since straining his hamstring on May 18. Despite allowing five runs in the first inning, he managed to pitch three innings before being replaced by a reliever. The Royals’ first baseman/outfielder Matt Beaty, who suffered a concussion in a collision with Samad Taylor on June 21, has been cleared to resume baseball activities and will begin his rehab in Arizona.
Both the Dodgers and the Royals have yet to announce their starting pitchers for the opening games of their upcoming series. The Dodgers will face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, while the Royals will begin a series in Minnesota.
MLB Scoreboard (July 1, 2023):
Boston 7, Toronto 6
San Diego 12, Cincinnati 5
Minnesota 1, Baltimore 0
Philadelphia 19, Washington 4
Texas 5, Houston 2
Milwaukee 11, Pittsburgh 8
Oakland 7, Chicago White Sox 6
Atlanta 7, Miami 0
Seattle 8, Tampa Bay 3
New York Mets 4, San Francisco 1
St. Louis 11, New York Yankees 4
Kansas City 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 4
Cleveland 6, Chicago Cubs 0
New York Yankees 6, St. Louis 2
Detroit 4, Colorado 2 (10)
Arizona 3, Los Angeles Angels 1
MLB Scoreboard (July 2, 2023):
Baltimore 2, Minnesota 1
Atlanta 6, Miami 3
Boston 5, Toronto 4
Washington 5, Philadelphia 4
Houston 5, Texas 3
Milwaukee 6, Pittsburgh 3
Chicago White Sox 8, Oakland 7
Cincinnati 4, San Diego 3
Seattle 7, Tampa Bay 6
New York Mets 8, San Francisco 4
Kansas City 9, Los Angeles Dodgers 1
St. Louis 5, New York Yankees 1
Detroit 14, Colorado 9
Los Angeles Angels 5, Arizona 2
Cleveland 8, Chicago Cubs 6
