The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their season-beset winning streak to 11 games by defeating the Kansas City Royals, 8-3, in the opener of their road trip. The Dodgers’ visit to Kauffman Stadium is their first since winning two of three in the Royals’ home ballpark in June 2014.
While the Dodgers ultimately enjoyed a relatively comfortable win, it wasn’t without missed opportunities early. Will Smith was also hurt by how expansive Kauffman Stadium is, as he hit three deep fly balls but only had outs to show for it.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with nobody out in the fifth inning, only for Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman and Smith fail to cash in.
Turner made up for his empty at-bat when again batting with the bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh inning. He extended a hitting streak to seven games on a two-run single, and Freeman followed with an RBI double.
Trea and Freddie! pic.twitter.com/qbIG0qAFar
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 13, 2022
Trayce Thompson, royalty. pic.twitter.com/SlfHUQ2DFC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 13, 2022
Turner then scored on a wild pitch and Justin Turner added a sacrifice fly. While that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 5-0, Turner went 0-for-4 and had his on-base streak snapped at 20 games.
Trayce Thompson provided plenty of cushion with a three-run homer in the eighth inning.
Gonsolin shines for Dodgers
Tony Gonsolin held the Royals to just one run over 6.2 innings and had a perfect game until walking Kyle Isbel with one out in the sixth. Gonsolin then lost his no-hitter on a one-out base hit in the seventh inning that led to the Royals scoring a run.
Gonsolin’s outing was the eighth time this season a Dodgers starting pitcher did not allow a hit through at least five innings. He’s twice done so, along with two each from Tyler Anderson, Clayton Kershaw and Mitch White.
The Dodgers are the only team in the last 40 years to have four starting pitchers with multiple no-hit bids that went a minimum of five innings in a single season.
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