The Los Angeles Dodgers may not have played their cleanest or flashiest game on Friday night, but that didn’t stop them from walking away with what mattered most—another win. In a performance that was far from their best, the Dodgers scratched, clawed, and battled their way past the Kansas City Royals to claim a hard-fought victory. With that triumph, they not only extended their winning streak but also surged into the top spot for most wins in Major League Baseball this season.
It wasn’t a game defined by dominance. It was defined by resilience. From start to finish, the Dodgers appeared out of rhythm. The bats weren’t booming, the pitching wasn’t perfect, and the defense had its shaky moments. But in the way that only championship-caliber teams can, the Dodgers found a way to win when the odds weren’t fully on their side. It’s a hallmark of a team that knows how to handle adversity and deliver under pressure.
Offensively, the Dodgers weren’t firing on all cylinders. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, typically catalysts at the top of the lineup, struggled to find their groove early on. Betts went hitless in his first three at-bats, while Freeman grounded into a key double play that stifled a rally. But baseball games aren’t won by individual stars alone—they’re won by the collective effort of a team. And the Dodgers’ supporting cast came through in timely fashion.
James Outman, who’s had a rollercoaster season thus far, delivered perhaps the biggest hit of the night—a sharp RBI double into the right-center gap that plated two crucial runs and gave Los Angeles a lead they would not relinquish. Miguel Rojas, often an unsung hero in the infield, tacked on an insurance run with a well-placed single in the seventh inning that gave the Dodgers some much-needed breathing room. While the bats didn’t explode for double-digit runs, they delivered when the game was on the line.
On the mound, things weren’t much smoother. Starting pitcher Gavin Stone battled through five innings, allowing a handful of hits and issuing a few too many walks. His command wasn’t sharp, and the Royals threatened in multiple innings, but Stone refused to fold. He grinded his way through key situations, stranding runners in scoring position and keeping the damage minimal. It wasn’t the kind of dominant outing that would make highlight reels, but it was gritty and effective.
The bullpen, once a point of concern earlier in the season, has transformed into a formidable asset for the Dodgers—and it showed once again. Ryan Brasier, Daniel Hudson, and Evan Phillips combined to shut down the Royals over the final four innings, sealing the victory with a mix of velocity, precision, and poise. Phillips, in particular, slammed the door in the ninth with a dominant 1-2-3 inning, notching his 18th save of the season.
It’s not just about the stats or the scoreboard—it’s about the message wins like this send. The Dodgers proved yet again that they can win games even when their best players are having off nights. They showed they can grind through mistakes, rally around each other, and trust their depth. That’s the kind of confidence and chemistry that separates contenders from pretenders in the dog days of summer.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged as much in his postgame comments. “We didn’t play our cleanest game, but good teams find a way to win,” Roberts said. “That’s what I’m proud of. Guys stepped up when we needed them. Whether it was Outman at the plate, Gavin on the mound, or the bullpen shutting it down—everyone played a part tonight.”
The Dodgers’ victory also carried historical and statistical weight. By pulling out the win against Kansas City, Los Angeles moved into sole possession of the MLB lead in total wins this season. It’s a position they’ve grown familiar with in recent years, and one that underscores their sustained excellence. Even amid injuries, slumps, and stiff competition from teams like the Braves, Yankees, and Phillies, the Dodgers have once again risen to the top of the standings.
Their rise hasn’t been without challenges. The team has dealt with its share of setbacks this season, including injuries to key contributors like Walker Buehler and Max Muncy. There have been stretches where the offense went cold and the bullpen faltered. But with every dip, the Dodgers have responded with a surge. Their depth, their leadership, and their championship pedigree have kept them moving forward.
That resilience was on full display against the Royals. Kansas City, for its part, didn’t go quietly. Bobby Witt Jr. continued his breakout campaign with a pair of hits, and the Royals threatened multiple times, putting runners in scoring position in the fifth, sixth, and eighth innings. But each time, the Dodgers answered with calm execution—whether it was a double play, a clutch strikeout, or a diving catch in the outfield.
Another underappreciated hero of the night was catcher Will Smith, who not only called a brilliant game behind the plate but also came up with a critical base hit to extend a rally in the sixth. His steady presence has been a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ success all year, both offensively and defensively.
The Dodgers’ clubhouse after the win wasn’t wild with celebration—it was steady, focused, and businesslike. The players know that the long grind of a 162-game season is far from over. But they also know that each win, especially ones like this, lays the foundation for what they hope will be another deep postseason run.
Veteran reliever Daniel Hudson summed it up best: “These are the kinds of wins you remember. Not because they’re flashy, but because they show who we are as a team. You don’t need ten runs to win. Sometimes you just need heart, hustle, and a little grit.”
Now firmly in control of the league’s win total, the Dodgers will look to build on their momentum as the season heads into the crucial July stretch. With the All-Star break approaching, teams across the league are jockeying for position, trying to find consistency and rhythm. For the Dodgers, that consistency is already starting to take form—even when they’re not at their peak.
They’ll face the Royals again in this series and then head into a pivotal slate against playoff-caliber opponents. Every game matters. Every win counts. And if Friday night’s victory proved anything, it’s that the Dodgers can win ugly—and still rise above the rest.
The fans at Dodger Stadium felt it too. There wasn’t a barrage of fireworks or a walk-off home run, but there was appreciation. The kind of appreciation that comes from watching a team that refuses to fold, even on its worst nights. That’s what the Dodgers gave their fans Friday: a reminder that greatness isn’t just about dominance. Sometimes, it’s about endurance. And in that department, the Dodgers are second to none.
As the calendar inches closer to the postseason, and as contenders continue to separate from the pack, the Dodgers are once again proving they belong in the conversation among baseball’s elite. Not because they’re perfect—but because they know how to win when they’re far from it.
