Misplayed pickoff attempt leads to winning run in 4-3 Royals loss

A solid start by Cole Ragans is squandered.

A misplayed pickoff attempt late in the game allowed the Dodgers to put the eventual game-winning run into scoring position as the Royals fell in the series opener 4-3. The loss squandered a solid start by Cole Ragans, leaving him winless in his last four starts.

The Royals took an early lead in the fourth off Dodgers starter Gavin Stone. Maikel Garcia led off with a single and advanced to second on a groundout by Bobby Witt Jr., moving to third on a wild pitch. After a Vinnie Pasquantino walk, Salvador Perez continued his terrific season by absolutely destroying a hanging breaking ball for a three-run home run, his first in the month of June and 11th home run overall.

The Royals had a chance for more in the fifth when they put runners at the corners with two outs. But Bobby Witt Jr. popped out to end the threat.

Cole Ragans looked sharp early on against a tough Dodgers lineup, but made some mistakes to the bottom of the order in the fifth. With one out, Andy Pages reached on an infield single, then #7 hitter Miguel Rojas homered just inside the left field foul pole for a two-run home run. Chris Taylor, who was hitting .100 coming into this game, hit his first home run of the year to tie the game at 3-3.

Ragans gave the Royals another terrific start, going seven innings with four strikeouts and just one walk, lasting 102 pitches. He was helped by a sensational double play turned by Bobby Witt Jr. in the seventh on a pop up by Pages.

Will Smith took over in the eighth and gave up a one out single to Mookie Betts. A pick off attempt was mishandled by Vinnie Pasquantino, allowing Betts to advance to second. Freddie Freeman singled him home to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead, just the third run Smith has allowed in his last 17 outings since April 19.

Salvador Perez left the game in the eighth inning, and after the game the Royals said he had right knee discomfort. Nelson Velázquez managed a two-out pinch-hit single to put the tying run on base against Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia. But Nick Loftin flied out to right to end the game.

The Royals fall to 40-31, but can tie the series up tomorrow evening when Seth Lugo takes on Yoshinobu Yamamoto at 8:10 CT.