Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

Three home runs gave the Dodgers a sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Eric Lauer threw the most pitches by a Dodger starter, giving the taxed bullpen a rest.

On a pleasant Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals, 4–2.

After a poor outing against the Chicago Cubs, Lauer gave his team a much-needed 6.1 innings. Mookie Betts said about Lauer, “He has been amazing.” Lauer battled hard for the first four innings, getting a high pitch count. He used his entire arsenal, especially his high fastball, to retire the pesky Royals. He fielded his position well. He struck out six while walking two.

Lauer said about his outing after the game that he quit being nitpicky after the third inning, and he made more quality pitches. He would keep going if given a chance.

Being promoted from Oklahoma City to take Seth Halverson’s spot on the roster, Landon Knack retired the last eight outs of the game.

Mookie Betts stayed hot when he hit a solo home run in the second inning. In the third inning, after Miguel Rojas singled, Shohei Ohtani launched an opposite-field shot. For the first time in a Dodger uniform, Hunter Feduccia homered in the fifth inning.

During the eighth inning, Freddie Freeman took a huge spill in the photographer’s well. Although he finished the inning, Tommy Edman pinch-hit for him. Freeman is sore.

Roki Sasaki will try to continue his excellence since the All-Star break on Thursday. The Dodgers will fight the Milwaukee Brewers for the second-best team in the National League.