KC Royals get another quality start at L.A. Dodgers, but 2 Ohtani HRs spell defeat

Kansas City Royals starter Brady Singer was bitten by home runs again.

Singer paid a hefty price for it against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Sunday’s series finale in Los Angeles. He allowed three solo shots — two to superstar Shohei Ohtani — as the Royals lost 3-0 to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Singer, who celebrated his first Father’s Day as a new dad, was efficient at times against L.A.’s high-octane lineup. He navigated early trouble and stranded a few runners on base.

Both of Ohtani’s homers were no-doubters. He finished 2-for-3 and also worked in a first-inning walk.

“I’d like to have three pitches back,” Singer said. “That’s kind of what it boils down to. They just did damage on those three pitches.”

The first home run, in the third inning, traveled 451 feet. Ohtani drilled a 92.5 mph sinker into the center-field seats to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Ohtani also teamed up with Freddie Freeman to hit back-to-back homers in the sixth.

“I’m obviously trying to get it (two sliders) down,” Singer said of his pitch selection. “I figured Ohtani would be swinging right there. So, you know, just trying to bury that slider and also trying to get them to go after it. ... I was trying to get it more under the zone and left it up a little bit.”

Singer dropped to 4-4 this season and has now allowed 11 home runs in 14 starts.

Offensively, the Royals struggled to gain traction against Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow. The right-hander, who stands 6-foot-8, threw seven scoreless innings and struck out nine.

The Royals didn’t have many opportunities to score.

KC’s best chance came in the fourth inning. After two runners got aboard with one out, Glasnow suppressed the momentum by retiring Royals captain Salvador Perez and outfielder Adam Frazier.

“Today, he threw a super high percentage of strikes and when he does that, he is going to be really tough,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Glasnow.

The Royals wouldn’t get another hit — a Vinnie Pasquantino single — until the seventh inning. L.A.’s relievers preserved the shutout.

“He just did a nice job today using his fastball,” Pasquantino said. “His fastball plays like a cutter, and he did a nice job of moving it effectively with his slider and curveball. And then showing enough sinkers to keep guys honest.”

The Royals, who fell to 41-32, are off Monday and return to action Tuesday night. The Dodgers improved to 44-29 by winning the three-game weekend series.

The Royals finished 5-7 during their 12-game stretch against first-place teams in June.

“I think we showed we can compete,” Pasquantino said. “There were a few games where we got our (tails) kicked by the Yankees. We played Seattle really tough. Cleveland we played tough. We get to see them in a few weeks. ... I think it shows this team has fight. We’re never out of a game.”

Missed previous games of the series?

Game 1: Royals drop series opener in 4-3 loss to Dodgers

Game 2: MJ Melendez hits grand slam, Seth Lugo picks up 50th career win in Los Angeles

Here are more notable aspects from Sunday’s game:

MJ Melendez turns in web-gem highlight

Royals outfielder MJ Melendez produced a stellar defensive play in the fourth inning, robbing outfielder Teoscar Hernandez of potential extra bases.

Melendez ranged to his right and hauled in the baseball with a diving catch.

The defensive highlight continued his run of good play at Dodger Stadium. On Saturday, Melendez hit his first career grand slam to propel the Royals in a 7-2 victory.

Dodgers star exits with injury

There was a collective gasp at Dodger Stadium in the seventh inning when L.A. star Mookie Betts was hit by a 97.9 mph fastball from Royals reliever Dan Altavilla.

The pitch hit Betts on his left hand. He immediately went down in pain and exited the game with help from the Dodgers’ medical staff.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced later that Betts suffered a fracture in his left hand. He will not need surgery — and the injury is not considered season-ending — but he is expected to be sidelined for some time.

“Clearly no intent,” Quatraro said. “(Altavilla was) just trying to get him out. We are just trying to get Dan some innings and see how he can do here. He’s thrown the ball extremely hard.

“You know, it’s very unfortunate and I feel terribly. No one wants to see that, especially to a guy like Mookie who we all revere for his professionalism and what he means to the game.”

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals begin a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday night at Oakland Coliseum.

Royals right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh will start the series opener. KC is also expected to have southpaw Cole Ragans and veteran righty Seth Lugo pitch during this series.

Lugo recently earned his 50th career win, while Ragans ranks second in the American League with 102 strikeouts.