Melendez Hits Grand Slam on 12th Pitch, Royals Beat Dodgers 7–2 as Yamamoto Leaves Early

Kansas City Royals' MJ Melendez (Top Left) hits a grand slam as Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen (Lower Left) and catcher Austin Barnes (R) watch along with home plate umpire John Bacon during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on June 15, 2024. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

LOS ANGELES—MJ Melendez hit a grand slam to conclude a 12-pitch at-bat, Seth Lugo became the AL’s first 10-game winner and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7–2 Saturday night, June 15, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s start was cut short after two innings due to triceps tightness.

Kansas City loaded the bases on three straight walks by Blake Treinen. Melendez fouled off six straight pitches with a 2–2 count, but worked the count full when Treinen threw a cutter inside.