Chris Hatcher replaced Jansen in the fifth inning and walked Humberto Arteaga, who went on to steal second base. Hatcher struck out Raul Mondsei, then gave way to J.P. Howell.
The Dodgers’ left-handed reliever promptly gave up an RBI single to Gordon, followed by a Kendrys Morales hitting a towering two-run home run that extended the Royals’ lead to 4-1. Howell’s troubles continued as Jorge Bonifacio ripped a double by Guerrero.
Bonifacio scored on a Cody Decker RBI single before Howell managed to get out of the inning. Kelvin Herrera retired the side in order in the bottom of the fifth, bookending the inning with strikeouts.
Louis Coleman worked around a one-out double in the sixth to throw a scoreless inning of relief; he collected two strikeouts in the process. The Royals turned to another reliever, Ross Ohlendorf, who set the Dodgers down in order to keep Kansas City’s lead at 5-1.
Ross Stripling put together another strong relief appearance as he retired all six batters faced over two innings in the seventh and eighth. The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to capitalized.
Elian Herrera was tagged as he attempted to score on a wild pitch that ricocheted nearly perfectly back toward home plate. Brooks Pounders then got called strike three on Charlie Culberson to end the inning.
The Dodgers had two runners reach in the ninth, but weren’t able to mount a comeback and lost to the Royals, 5-1.
