L.A. Dodgers defeat K.C. Royals to Finish First Half of Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Kansas City Royals, 5-2, Sunday, July 9, 2017 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The game was the finish of the first half of the season.

The Dodgers sent out Clayton Kershaw to start. He has been the best pitcher in the majors this season. He shut down the Royals in the top of the first inning, facing the minimum three batters.

The Royals sent out left-hander Danny Duffy for the last game before the All-Star break. It was Duffy’s debut pitching at Dodgers Stadium. He only faced four batters, but gave up a two-out homer to Justin Turner. During the bottom of the inning, the home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley was hit in the head by a foul tip of the bat of Cory Bellinger. He almost crumpled to the ground, but was held up by both the catcher and batter. The Dodgers physician checked him out and he remained in the game. The first inning finished with L.A. leading, 1-0.

The top of the second inning began with Eric Hosmer driving a single to center. He moved to second base after Bonofacio hit a slow grounder to the pitcher. Kershaw then struck out the next two batters and Hosmer was stranded at second.

In the bottom of the second inning, the home plate umpire left the game. Danley apparently felt too woozy to continue. He was replaced by Adam Hammerly behind the plate. Duffy fared well with the new umpire as he struck out the side to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Dodgers.

Kershaw cruised through the third inning, again striking out the last two batters after Royals catcher Drew Butera hit a fly-out to left field. Unfortunately for Kansas City, Duffy was tagged for a two-run homer by Turner in the bottom of the third inning. The Dodgers had already brought in one run and the second homer by Turner made the score 4-0.

The Royals struck back in the top of the fourth inning. After a one-out single by Lorenzo Cain, Hosmer got his second hit by sailing a two-run homer to center field. The next two batters grounded out and the Dodgers came up with their lead cut in half, 4-2. Duffy settled down in the bottom of the inning. He gave up a single to Hernandez with one out, and got a pop-up and strike-out to finish the Dodgers half of the fourth inning.

Kershaw gave up a two-out single to K.C. pitcher Duffy in the top of the fifth. However, Merrifield struck out next and Duffy was stranded at first. The bottom of the fifth began with Kershaw at the plate for the Dodgers. Duffy took care of the L.A. pitcher, getting him to ground out to the second baseman for the first out. The next two batters went down for Duffy’s first 3 up, 3 down inning.

Kansas City threatened in the top of the sixth inning with a two-out single hit by Hosmer. However, he was left standing on first when Kershaw recorded his 11th strikeout on Jorge Bonifacio for the third out. In the bottom of the inning, Duffy began with two quick outs before giving up a solo home run to Austin Barnes. Prior to this game, Duffy had only given up four home runs all season. The sixth ended with L.A. leading 5-2 after the next Dodger hit a fly ball for the third out.

Kershaw cruised through the top of the seventh inning, retiring the side in order. Duffy also retired the side to complete a scoreless inning.

The Royals replaced starting pitcher Duffy for the bottom of the eighth inning. Reliever Al Alburquerque had no trouble with the Dodger batters and retired the side for a second straight scoreless inning.

Kershaw finished the game by striking out Escobar. It was his 13th strike-out and took his record to 14-2. It was only his second complete game of the year.

The Dodgers go into the All-Star break with a huge lead in the National League West Division. The Royals lost three straight to the Dodgers on this road trip. They go into the break one game above a .500 pace, and in second place in the American League Central Division.

Written By D.T. Osborn

Source:

FOX Sports: Dodgers’ Kershaw pitching game that matters versus Royals (Jul 09, 2017)

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of D.T. Osborn