It was pretty dark, before the dawn.
The Kansas City Royals’ Cole Ragans was cruising through a perfect game, at the very least a one-hitter. Then catcher Salvador Perez unleashed a three-run homer in the fourth inning, and things got darker still.
With nowhere to go but up, the Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas hit a 3-1 pitch from Ragans into the left field bleachers in the bottom of the fifth inning, bringing Andy Pages along for the ride. Then the-most-likely-and-the-most-unlikely Chris Taylor, hit one deep into the left field bleachers, tying the score.
Freddie Freeman brought Mookie Betts home with a single in the bottom of the eighth, and Alex Vescia extinguished the KC threat for good in the top of the ninth.
“To be looking at a no-hitter, and then being in control of the game was really something,” said Dodger Manager Dave Roberts after the game.
Until a single by Ohtani in the fourth inning, Ragans was perfectly in control and quietly working on a perfect game, keeping the Dodgers silent.
Roberts singled out pitcher Gavin Stone who, not counting the home run from Perez, was also having a memorable game.
Of Taylor, who has been quiet hitting-wise for much of the season, Roberts said, “He is a great teammate, he is always watching and he is always ready when he is called upon.”
The Dodgers will face Kansas City again tomorrow afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
FIRST INNING
Top
Maikel Garcia (No relation) flies way out to Right
Bobby Witt Jr is at 2-0; he flies out to Mookie (no relation.).
Vinnie Pasquantino flies out to Center.
1-2-3.
Kansas City 0, Dodgers coming right up.
Bottom
Mookie Betts grounds out to first.
Shohei Ohtani does the same, after a fashion.
Freeddie Freeman joins the club.
Three grounders. Three outs.
SECOND INNING
Top
Salvador Perez grounds out to first.
DH Adam Frazier is the designated out.
Nick Loftin, well, you know.
Kansas City 0, Dodgers 0.
Dodgers 0, Royals 0.
THIRD INNING
Top
MJ Melendez be at 2-2. He drops in the first hit of the night. He ends up getting caught between first and second, trying to make nothing happen.
Drew Waters is really, really out.
Kyle Isebel is nabbed at first.
Dodgers 0, Royals 0.
Bottom
Will Smith is pretty much out.
As is his associate Teoscar Hernandez.
Andy Pages flies right out.
We’re moving quickly here, Bobbleheads.
Dodgers 0, Royals 0
(I missed an inning. A celebrity came over to talk to me, and talked to me through the whole inning. Seriously.)
FOURTH INNING
Top
Garcia singles.
Witt Jr. (no relation) is out at first. But Garcia cruises to second.
Salvador Perez homers to deep left, scoring his own self, Pasquantino, and Witt.
Frazier grounds out to first.
Loftin strikes out.
Royals 3, Dodgers 0.
Bottom
Betts flies out.
Ohtani singles to deep right, breaking up Ragar’s perfect game.He goes to second on a wild pitch.
Smith flies out to deep right.
Royals 3, Dodgers 0.
FIFTH INNING
Top
Melendez draws a walk.
Waters flies out to right.
Isebel is out at first, Melendez to second.
Garcia singles. People at first and third.
Witt flies out.
Royals 3, Dodgers 0.
Bottom
Teoscar Hernandez strikes it all out.
Pages singles. To first. I know.
Rojas homers on a 3-1 count, to deep left, scoring Pages.
Kiké is out at first.
Taylor comes through with a home run to left. It’s his first home run this year (!)
Dodgers 3, Royals 3.
Bottom
Ohtani (no relation) singles to center.
Freeman is out at first, and Smith hits into a double play. Once.
Dodgers 3, Royals 3.
SIXTH INNING
Top
Royals go quietly.
Bottom
Ohtani (no relation) singles to center.
Freeman is out at first, and Smith hits into a double play. Once.
Dodgers 3, Royals 3.
Bottom
Loftin flies out to Mookie.
Melendez flies out to Pages.
Waters is out at first.
Dodgers 3, Royals 3.
SEVENTH INNING
Top
Teoscar heads to first.
Pages and Teoscar are the viteims of some sparkling defensive work by Loftin as he snags Pages’ fly ball and throws to Witt who throws out Teoscar.
Rojas is aboard first base, so to speak.
Will Smith flies out to left.
Dodgers 3, Royals 3.
EIGHTH INNING
Top
Daniel Hudson is now pitching for the Dodgers. Daniel Hudson retires the side.
Dodgers 3, Royals 3
Bottom
Taylor strikes out.
Mookie gets to first on an error by Garcia. He scoots to second on another error.
Ohtani flies out to a crowd in left field.
Freeman singles, and in comes Mookie.
Smith gets to 2-1. 2-2. Out he is.
Dodgers 4, Royals 3.
NINTH INNING
Top
Alex Vescia is now pitching for the Dodgers.
Pasquantino is out at first.
Freddy Fermin (no relation) is at 2-1. 3-2. He is thrown out at first. On purpose.
Nelson Velasquez is pinch hitting. In a pinch. He singles. Pinch me. (You’re welcome.).
Garcia flies out to right.
FINAL: Dodgers 4, Royals 3.
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