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Japan Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Dodgers and Ohtani hand Royals record-tying 11th straight home loss
Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer and added a game-tying RBI triple as the Los Angeles Dodgers won their fifth straight, edging the host Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Friday night. The Royals matched a club-record 11-game home losing streak. Ohtani, who was named to the All-Star Game a day earlier, sent an enticing 1-2 changeup from Noah Cameron (2-4) into the right field fountains for his 29th homer of the year — and 12th in 28 games against the Royals in his career. However, Kansas City led 4-3 entering the fifth, when Ohtani victimized Cameron again. After Enrique Hernandez walked to open the inning, Ohtani found the right field gap for a triple that evened the contest. Steven Cruz entered and promptly gave up an RBI single to Mookie Betts — the Dodgers' fourth and final hit, but enough for their ninth win in 11 games. The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott (18 saves), who got rookie Jac Caglianone to ground into a first-pitch 4-6-3 game-ending double play, capped by Freddie Freeman's stellar pick at first base. Kansas City is 0-11 at home in June, equaling the team's longest such slide set in 2023. Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-run homer and Kyle Isbel doubled twice, but the Royals dropped their sixth straight overall. Down 1-0, Kansas City answered in the bottom of the first. Maikel Garcia roped a two-out double and eventually scored on Salvador Perez's single to left. The Dodgers regained the lead with their own two-out magic in the second. With a man on, Max Muncy jumped on another Cameron pitch that went over the center field wall for a 3-1 edge. The Royals made Los Angeles starter Dustin May work more in the bottom of the second. John Rave walked, stole second, went to third on Freddy Fermin's grounder and scored on Isbel's double that right fielder Teoscar Hernandez appeared to misread. Witt followed by clearing the left-center field wall to put Kansas City ahead by one. Cameron yielded just three hits, but three walks and all five runs over a career-low four-plus innings in his ninth start. May, meanwhile, lasted four, allowing those four runs and six hits. Lou Trivino (3-0) pitched 1⅔ innings for the win.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Dodgers hand Royals record-tying 11th straight home loss
June 28 - Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer and added a tying-RBI triple, as the Los Angeles Dodgers won their fifth straight, edging the host Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Friday night. The Royals matched a club-record 11-game home losing streak. Ohtani sent an enticing 1-2 changeup from Noah Cameron (2-4) into the right-field fountains for his 29th homer -- and 12th in 28 games against the Royals. However, Kansas City led 4-3 entering the fifth, when Ohtani victimized Cameron, again. After Enrique Hernandez walked to open the inning, Ohtani found the right-field gap for a triple that evened the contest. Steven Cruz entered and promptly gave up an RBI single to Mookie Betts -- the Dodgers' fourth and final hit, but enough for their ninth win in 11 games. The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott (18 saves), who got rookie Jac Caglianone to ground into a first-pitch 4-6-3 game-ending double play, capped by Freddie Freeman's stellar pick at first base. Kansas City is 0-11 at home in June, equaling the team's longest such slide set in 2023. Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-run homer and Kyle Isbel doubled twice, but the Royals dropped their sixth straight overall. Down 1-0, Kansas City answered in the bottom of the first. Maikel Garcia roped a two-out double and eventually scored on Salvador Perez's single to left. The Dodgers regained the lead with their own two-out magic in the second. With a man on, Max Muncy jumped on another Cameron pitch that went over the center-field wall for a 3-1 edge. The Royals further made Los Angeles starter Dustin May work in the bottom of the second. John Rave walked, stole second, went to third on Freddy Fermin's grounder and scored on Isbel's double that right-fielder Teoscar Hernandez appeared to misread. Witt followed by clearing the left-center field wall to put Kansas City ahead by one. Cameron yielded just three hits, but three walks and all five runs over a career-low four-plus innings in his ninth start. May, meanwhile, lasted four, allowing those four runs and six hits. Lou Trivino (3-0) pitched 1 2/3 innings for the win. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ohtani hits 29th homer, adds RBI triple to lead Dodgers over Royals 5-4
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. hits a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his RBI triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gets ready to bat before hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs to third after hitting a triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs to third after hitting a triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. hits a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches his RBI triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani gets ready to bat before hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches from the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani runs to third after hitting a triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run and also hit an RBI triple, and Freddie Freeman stretched as he fell over to complete a game-ending double play as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Friday night for their fifth straight win. Ohtani hit his major league-leading eighth leadoff homer this season, a drive off off Noah Cameron (2-4), and Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer for a 3-1 lead in the second. Advertisement Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run homer against Dustin May put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the bottom half and gave the Royals their first lead since Sunday. Ohtani tied the score in the fifth against Cameron (2-4) with his seventh triple of the season and scored on Mookie Betts' single off Steven Cruz. Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott on singles by Mikael Garcia and Salvador Perez around Vinnie Pacquantino's walk. Rookie Jac Caglianone grounded to second Tommy Edman, who made a backhand flip to Betts at second, and Betts bounced his throw to Freeman. The All-Star first baseman snagged the ball as he fell to the field, giving Scott his 18th save in 23 chances. Advertisement Kansas City has lost six straight overall and 11 home games in a row. Lou Trivino (3-0) got five outs as five Dodgers relievers combined for shutout relief of Dustin May, who gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings. Cameron (2-4) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in four-plus innings Perez had a run-scoring single in the first. Kyle Isbel lined an RBI double just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in the three-run second for the Royals, who had scored on run during a three-game series against Tampa Bay. Key Moment Freeman, who won a Gold Glove in 2018, made the outstanding defensive play that ended the game. Advertisement Key Stat Kansas City tied its record for consecutive home losses, set from Sept. 21, 2011, to April 23, 2012, and matched from May 6 to June 4, 2013. Up Next Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third mound appearance since elbow surgery, facing RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) on Saturday. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bobby Witt Jr. ‘finds' fix that will terrify MLB
The post Bobby Witt Jr. 'finds' fix that will terrify MLB appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Kansas City Royals have endured recent struggles, including a five-game losing streak. Infielder Bobby Witt Jr. was blunt after a June 14 loss to the Athletics. Advertisement 'We have to figure something out, he said, per Anne Rogers of 'We have to change something. So the time was now.' Nevertheless, Witt is having a fairly decent season. He's batting .285 with 83 hits, nine home runs, and 39 RBIs, along with an OPS of .830. Good numbers, but pale in comparison to the numbers he put up last year. In 2024, Witt batted .332 with 211 hits, 32 home runs, and 109 RBIs as well as an OPS of .977. He was in the hunt for the American League MVP before it was given to Aaron Judge. Witt was named one of the 50 best MLB players entering this season. He entered Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers 28% above the league average in OPS. Also, the Royals are ranked 29th in runs per game, just above the Pittsburgh Pirates. Advertisement However, Witt is improving thanks to a few techniques, per Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. According to a team official, Witt's been working with his hitting coaches as well as biomechanical experts to improve his hitting. Moreover, he's made a crucial adjustment to hit the ball better. Over the last four games, Witt is 7-for-15 at the plate, a batting average of .467. He's added a home run and three doubles in the process. On Thursday, he went 2 for 3, including a walk, as the Royals defeated the Rangers 4-1. The Royals are 37-38 and are in 4th place in the American League Central Division. The value of Bobby Witt Jr. to the Royals Witt is considered to be the face of the Royals. In February 2024, Witt signed a massive $288 million contract extension with the franchise for 11 years. Advertisement He's a consistent hitter who can hit for average and power. In addition, Witt is ubiquitous on the base paths. In the field, he can play shortstop and third base and won a Gold Glove Award in 2024. The hope for the Royals is to build the team around him for the future. Related: Royals' All-Star dealt concerning injury update Related: What Royals' Jac Caglianone said after hitting first career home run
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. returning to Team USA for 2026 World Baseball Classic
Bobby Witt Jr. was the youngest player on Team USA during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The Kansas City Royals shortstop could be a multi-time All-Star by the time he plays in the next iteration of the international baseball tournament. Witt announced Thursday that he'll be running it back with Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Advertisement Only this time, rather than a 22-year-old bench player, the 2024 AL MVP runner-up be a pivotal part of the American roster, which will be captained by New York Yankees bat flipper — and right fielder — Aaron Judge. Witt is the third Team USA player to announce their participation in the 2026 WBC, joining Judge as well as Pittsburgh Pirates flame-throwing ace Paul Skenes. The trio headlines a group that will try to avenge Team USA's defeat in the 2023 WBC final, a cinematic showdown with Japan that saw two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani secure a 3-2 Team Japan win by striking out his then-Los Angeles Angels teammate, Mike Trout. 'It's an honor," Witt said of playing in another WBC, via "And last time we did it, we fell a little short. So I just wanted to help the team win gold and help the country win gold." Witt, 25, broke out last season. He won the MLB batting title with a .332 average, made his first All-Star game and earned his first Gold Glove Award. He finished the regular season with 32 home runs and 109 RBI and helped the Royals make their way back to the postseason for the first time since they won the World Series in 2015. Advertisement In other words, Kansas City got an immediate payoff on the 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension the club signed him to the previous February. While the Royals are currently below .500 and tied for third in the AL Central standings, Witt is enjoying another productive season in 2025. He's slashing .282/.338/.484 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He's got a good shot of making his second All-Star team this season. Witt's already got a spot on Team USA for the 2026 WBC, though. The tournament will take place in March 2026, with the championship set for loanDepot Park in Miami. Team USA will first compete in Pool B in Houston, along with Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil.
