Bobby Witt Jr. turns wild double play, but Royals fall to Dodgers on his birthday

The Kansas City Royals headed to Dodger Stadium looking for a statement victory on Bobby Witt Jr.’s 24th birthday.

After avoiding a four-game sweep against the Yankees, the Royals began the second half of their brutal week against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

And they came out swinging ... and even got a web gem from Witt, who turned an athletic double play.

Just one problem: The Dodgers wrestled the lead away late in a 4-3 victory.

The Royals jumped out ahead 3-0 in the fourth inning. Captain Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer to give KC the lead. It was his 11th home run of the season as he drilled a no-doubt, 431-foot blast into the left-field seats.

The Royals wouldn’t enjoy their lead long. The Dodgers roared back to tie the game with two home runs an inning later.

Dodgers star Freddie Freeman hit a go-ahead RBI single against Royals reliever Will Smith in the eighth inning. He drove home teammate Mookie Betts, who raced around to score.

Earlier in the frame, Betts advanced to second base on Smith’s critical throwing error on a pickoff attempt.

The Dodgers improved 43-28 and dashed Royals starter Cole Ragans’ chance at victory.

Ragans was left with a no decision after holding his own against the Dodgers’ ferocious lineup. He allowed three runs in seven innings of work. The two home runs to Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor marred his final line.

The Royals dropped to 40-31. Perez supplied the lone offense against Dodgers starter Gavin Stone. He worked seven innings and produced a quality start with three strikeouts.

KC has now lost four of its last five games.

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Here are more notables from Friday’s game:

Happy Birthday, Bobby!

Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. continues to produce highlight plays this season.

Even on his 24th birthday.

In the seventh inning, Witt robbed Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages of a bloop single in shallow left field. Witt raced from his shortstop position and made an over-the-shoulder basket catch in stride.

Then, he whirled around and threw to second baseman Nick Loftin. Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who led off the inning with a single, had wandered too far off the base.

Loftin made a snap throw to first base to beat Hernandez back to the bag. Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino corralled the incoming throw as KC avoided potential trouble.

KC Royals make minor-league trade

The Royals traded minor-league catcher Logan Porter to the San Francisco Giants on Friday afternoon. KC will receive cash considerations or a player to be named later in the deal.

Porter made his MLB debut last season. He hit .194 with one home run and three RBIs in 11 games down the stretch.

This offseason, the Royals re-signed him as a minor-league free agent. He joined the club as a non-roster invitee in spring training.

Porter began the 2024 season in Triple-A Omaha. He has produced a 1.003 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in 32 games.

As a teenager, Porter served as a Royals “clubbie” attendant in Surprise, Arizona.

What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?

The Royals continue their West Coast swing on Saturday night. KC right-hander Seth Lugo will pitch against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the three-game set.

Lugo (9-2) has a familiar history in Los Angeles. He owns a 6.30 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Dodgers. However, Lugo will make his first career start at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

The Dodgers will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The talented rookie is 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA and posted seven scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his last start.