The Los Angeles Dodgers came back from an early deficit to defeat the Kansas City Royals, 7-6, in their first night game of Cactus League play in 2023.
The Royals went ahead in the first inning while facing Ryan Pepiot when Franmil Reyes singled in Bobby Witt Jr. That was all the Kansas City offense was able to manufacture against the right-hander, who went two innings while striking out four batters.
The Dodgers tied the game in the second inning as Luke Williams drove in James Outman on a groundout. Outman opened the inning with a single before Miguel Rojas followed with a base hit of his own.
Outman then continued his hot showing in Spring Training with a home run off Jackson Kowar to put the Dodgers up 2-1. Outman finished his day 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI.
Hello, James Outman. pic.twitter.com/071BWvA0fm
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 5, 2023
Heyward yard. pic.twitter.com/a8Hlegjftr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 5, 2023
Trayce Thompson knocks in a run with a double to left. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/vmeJHWUQMy
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 5, 2023
Jason Heyward then hit his second homer of Cactus League play in the fifth inning against Kowar. He leads the team so far as he continues to impress with his reworked swing.
The Royals tied the game when Michael Massey hit a two-run shot off Landon Knack in the sixth inning.
The tie did not last long as Trayce Thompson gave the Dodgers the lead on a double to drive in Andy Pages in the seventh inning. Thompson then came scored on a throwing error by the Royals catcher.
Eddys Leonard then doubled to score David Freitas and Diego Cartaya, putting the Dodgers up 7-3. They were the finals runs the Dodgers scored, which proved to be important insurance.
The Royals scored two runs in the eighth inning to cut the lead to 7-5, and another in the ninth inning on a home run, but their comeback fell short as the Dodgers secured the 7-6 victory.
Dodgers pitching against Royals
Following Pepiot’s two innings, Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson, who was credited with a hold, each pitched a scoreless inning while giving up one hit.
Knack was credited with a blown save while pitching 1.2 innings and giving up two runs on three hits. The win went to Jordan Leasure, who recorded one out with a strikeout.
Tyler Cyr worked a scoreless inning while Adam Kolarek gave up two runs in his inning of work. Jordan Yamamoto earned the save while allowing a home run and picking up two strikeouts.
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