Eric Lauer’s gem, trio of home runs help Dodgers finish sweep of Royals
Lauer goes 6 1/3 innings, tosses 112 catches, Betts, Ohtani and Feduccia go deep as Dodgers defeat Royals 4-2.
In a remarkable three-game sweep against the Kansas City Royals, the Los Angeles Dodgers showcased the prowess of their star players. With 15 home runs from Mookie Betts, a 27-hit double by Shohei Ohtani, and a clutch three-run homer from Hunter Feduccia, the Dodgers secured a 4-2 victory on Wednesday.
Early in the game, Lauer struggled, leaving two runners on in the first inning and walking Tyler Tolbert. However, Josh Rojas broke the jitters, driving Lauer home with a single to right field. Mookie Betts then erased the Royals' lead by hitting his second home run in consecutive games, a feat he last accomplished from June 24-27.
In the third inning, a wild throw by Betts allowed Jac Caglianone to reach second base, but Salvador Pérez hit a single to give the Royals the lead again. The Dodgers answered back in the bottom of the third with a double by Miguel Rojas and a two-run home run by Shohei Ohtani, which put the Dodgers ahead and ended the Royals' streak.
Hunter Feduccia contributed with a career-high three-run homer in the fifth inning, making it the first time he had hit a home run in a Dodger uniform. Lauer kept the Royals at bay for the rest of the game, retiring ten consecutive hitters before allowing a walk to Isaac Collins in the sixth inning. He struck out Josh Rojas to end the top of the seventh inning, tossing a season-high 112 pitches.
The Dodgers' pitching staff also shined, with Eric Lauer allowing only two runs in his start, and Landon Knack finishing the game with a save, his third of the season. Mookie Betts, who finished the three-game set with a .545 batting average, 2 home runs, and 3 RBIs, led the way for the Dodgers.
With this sweep, the Dodgers now hold a 7 1/2 game lead over the San Diego Padres for the NL West lead. They are also just one game back for the best record in baseball, after the Milwaukee Brewers were swept by the Padres. The Dodgers continue their homestand on Thursday with a four-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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