Rockies rally past the Dodgers 4-3 after 2 errors in the eighth

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his 300th career homer but two errors by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning led to three runs by the Colorado Rockies, who rallied for a 4-3 victory Tuesday night.

Pitching with a 3-1 lead, reliever Will Klein (3-3) had a potential inning-ending double play ball that turned into a run-scoring error by shortstop Miguel Rojas. Then the Rockies turned a squeeze play into two more runs to take a 4-3 lead when Rojas misplayed a throw to third.

Tyler Freeman grounded into a fielder's choice to Rojas, scoring Kyle Karros, who walked.

Jake McCarthy hit a sacrifice bunt to third against reliever Jack Dreyer. Cole Carrigg, who singled, scored on second baseman Alex Freeland's throwing error that also brought home Freeman.

The Dodgers had the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position when Freeland singled and stole second against reliever Jordan Romano and pinch-hitter Teoscar Hernandez walked. But Ohtani popped up to third, Andy Pages flied out to right and Freddie Freeman went down swinging to end the game.

Juan Meijia (2-6) got the win with two innings of one-run relief. Romano earned his sixth save.

The Dodgers led 1-0 on Ohtani's home run leading off the bottom of the first inning against Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen.

Ohtani is the first Japanese-born player in the majors to reach the milestone and the fifth-fastest in history to do so. It took him 1,102 games between playing for the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers; New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was the quickest at 955 games.

The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead on Lorenzen's bases-loaded walk to Pages in the fifth.

Colorado closed to 2-1 on McCarthy's RBI groundout in the sixth.

Freeland's RBI single made extended the Dodgers' lead to 3-1 in the sixth.

Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (3-2, 4.27 ERA) starts the series finale Wednesday against Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (3-5, 5.40).

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Dalton Rushing, right, is tagged out by Colorado Rockies catcher Braxton Fulford as he tries to score on a fielder's choice bunt by Miguel Rojas during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani watches a foul ball go out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Dalton Rushing, right, is tagged out by Colorado Rockies catcher Braxton Fulford as he tries to score on a fielder's choice bunt by Miguel Rojas during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Tolbert grinned late Tuesday night and said he’d give himself until midnight before turning the page on one of the most historic stretches a batter has ever enjoyed.

His place in the record books will probably last a lot longer.

The Kansas City Royals outfielder, typically a defensive specialist and pinch runner, tied a major league record with hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances, reaching the mark with an infield single against the New York Mets for his fifth hit in Tuesday’s wild 16-12 comeback win.

Batting ninth, the right fielder hit a two-run homer in the second inning and singled in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. Tolbert’s last three hits were infield hits.

Tolbert matched the record set by Chicago’s Johnny Kling in 1902 and equaled by Walt Dropo of the Detroit Tigers in 1952. The bat Tolbert used will be sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

“I’m truly lost for words, honestly,” Tolbert said. “I don’t know. It hasn’t really hit me, to be honest.”

With a chance to break the record, Tolbert was finally retired in the ninth on a fly ball to right against A.J. Minter to finish 5 for 6.

“He’s a good pitcher and broke the streak,” Tolbert said. “All I can do is just smile. I’m just grateful for the journey and opportunity.”

The remnants of the announced crowd of 32,734 gave Tolbert an ovation, and his teammates applauded while gathering on the top step of their dugout. Following the game, the Royals celebrated Tolbert with a Champagne toast in the visiting locker room.

“It’s nice — I guess everybody’s kind of in tune, knowing what was happening,” Tolbert said. “I appreciated the fans supporting me and cheering me on, trying to get the next one. When I was on deck, they were like, ‘Go for another one. Go for another one.’

“More importantly, just my teammates man, they were locked in,” Tolbert added. “Just awesome. Look in the dugout and everybody’s smiling. Brings a smile to my face, too.”

Tolbert, listed at 5-foot-10, was selected by the Royals in the 13th round of the 2019 draft and stole at least 48 bases in every minor league season from 2021 through 2025 before debuting in the bigs on March 31, 2025.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of him, the way he competes,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “His effort, energy, attitude — he lifts everybody up everyday. And for him to have those individual accolades are really special. The way the guys celebrated him right there was really cool.”

Tolbert was a career .247 hitter with one homer, seven RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 91 big league games entering Saturday, when he went 2 for 2 against Philadelphia before being lifted for a pinch hitter. He then started at shortstop on Monday and went 5 for 5 with a homer, his first of the season.

“He’s a sparkplug,” teammate Nick Loftin said “I’m happy that he’s able to find some success and consistent (at-bats). Now he’s going to Cooperstown.”

Tolbert is the first player with consecutive five-hit games since Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, who pulled off the feat Aug, 22-23, 1970.

“It’s always good to see your hard work pay off,” Tolbert said, “But like I said, back to work (Wednesday). That’s just my mindset.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Kansas City Royals' Tyler Tolbert safely steals second base as New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) drops the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals' Tyler Tolbert reacts to flying out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals' Tyler Tolbert reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals' Tyler Tolbert breaks his bat on a foul ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)