ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mookie Betts and Kevin Kiermaier homered in a five-run sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers came back to beat the skidding St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Friday night.
The offensive outburst gave Justin Wrobleski his first major league win. The left-hander was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day to make his fifth career start.
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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mookie Betts and Kevin Kiermaier homered in a five-run sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers came back to beat the skidding St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Friday night.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II misses a home run by Los Angeles Dodgers' Gavin Lux during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Gavin Lux gestures to teammates after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Kevin Kiermaier (93) reacts after advancing to second on a throwing error form St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (not shown) during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
“Huge win,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Tonight, we got contributions from everyone. And you know, it wasn’t the best pitched game, but offensively, we came through.”
Wrobleski (1-1) allowed four runs and four hits — including three homers — in five innings as the NL West leaders stopped a two-game skid.
“With the hitters that we have, you know you have a chance,” Wrobleski said. “So, my goal is to get as deep into the game as possible and kind of just keep us in the game.”
Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly each worked a scoreless inning of relief. Michael Kopech earned his 10th save this season and first with the Dodgers since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox last month.
Kopech twice topped 100 mph with his fastball, including a 102.6 mph pitch to Victor Scott II.
“The point in the game kind of dictates the adrenaline, emotion, and everything,” Kopech said. “So obviously, closing a game for a team like this is a special feeling.”
Betts led off the sixth with his 12th homer and Miguel Rojas greeted reliever Andrew Kittredge with an RBI single that tied it at 4. Kiermaier’s three-run homer gave the Dodgers the lead.
“We’ve tinkered a lot, but we’re starting to get it all together, and just trying to, slowly but surely, get locked in day by day,” Kiermaier said.
Miles Mikolas (8-10) gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings as the Cardinals lost their fifth straight game. Mikolas, who has won just once since June 22, permitted seven hits and struck out seven.
“As far as my last couple starts go, this is the best I’ve felt in a while,” Mikolas said. “A couple bad pitches I wish I could take back. A couple of little bleeders through the infield there got me in trouble in the last inning. But as far as how I threw the ball and how I felt, it was pretty good.”
Gavin Lux’s leadoff homer in the second gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. The 407-foot drive to straightaway center field hit the palm of Scott’s outstretched glove before bouncing into the batter’s-eye shrubbery.
Kiermaier added an RBI single later in the inning. His four RBIs tied a season best.
“They brought me over here for my defense more than anything,” said Kiermaier, acquired from Toronto at the July 30 trade deadline. “But anything I can do offensively is a bonus, and I know I can be dangerous in there.”
Paul Goldschmidt tied it 2-all with a two-run homer into the right-field bullpen in the bottom of the second.
Masyn Winn’s solo homer in the third gave the Cardinals the lead, and Pedro Pagés’ leadoff home run in the fifth made it 4-2. Pagés’ drive was projected at 462 feet, the third-longest homer by a Cardinals player at Busch Stadium III in the Statcast era dating to 2015.
Brendan Donovan and Pagés had RBI singles in the sixth for the Cardinals to cut it to 7-6.
“I thought we competed well,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “It’s just one inning blows up on you.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow tendinitis.
Cardinals: RHP Lance Lynn (right knee inflammation) threw a bullpen. … CF Michael Siani (right oblique strain) was scheduled to meet with doctors to determine if he can begin swinging a bat.
UP NEXT
Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante (4-6, 4.21 ERA) pitches Saturday night against RHP Bobby Miller (1-2, 8.07) and the Dodgers. Pallante has a 5.86 ERA versus the Dodgers in four appearances, all in relief. Miller will be recalled from Triple-A to take Glasnow’s turn in the rotation.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas foreground, throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II misses a home run by Los Angeles Dodgers' Gavin Lux during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Gavin Lux gestures to teammates after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Kevin Kiermaier (93) reacts after advancing to second on a throwing error form St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (not shown) during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in aid for Ukraine Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv, aiming to bolster the energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded ahead of an expected difficult winter.
At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken said the assistance also would provide humanitarian support and pay for demining operations.
The $325 million in energy support in the package will help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.
Some $290 million will fund food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees outside the country. The remaining $102 million will be used for mine-removal activities.
Late last week, the U.S. announced it was sending $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine, including air defense missiles and artillery.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The top U.S. and British diplomats traveled together to the Ukrainian capital Wednesday to underscore their commitment to the country in its war with Russia, and Ukrainian officials pressured the visitors to let them use Western-provided long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.
The rare joint visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy unfolded as Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and pounds the country with missiles, glide bombs and drones that claim many civilian casualties.
Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a “critical” juncture following Ukraine's daring incursion last month into Russia’s Kursk region, even as it tries to defend against its neighbor’s aerial attacks on cities across the country.
"We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” Lammy said.
He noted that Britain is setting aside 3 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) a year to help Ukraine.
But relations between Ukraine and its Western partners have been increasingly strained by Kyiv’s repeated appeals for the West’s authorization to use long-range weapons from the United States and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
That issue has become more urgent given Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have balked at the request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.
U.S. President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped for changes to those limitations.
“Let’s count on some strong decisions, at least,” he said. “For us, it’s very important.”
He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial.
“We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can’t prevail without it,” Zelenskyy said.
However, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week pushed back on the idea that long-range strikes would be a game-changer.
“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. The Ukrainians have other means to strike long-range targets, he added.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Lammy he hoped an agreement on using long-range assets “for strikes on the territory of our enemy” could be reached. “We hope for your help and support in this issue.”
Shmyhal described the meeting with Lammy in Kyiv as “intense” but gave no other details in his post on his Telegram channel.
A hard winter likely lies ahead for Ukraine. Its power grid is under severe strain after Russian missiles and drones knocked out around 70% of the country’s generation capacity.
Kyiv officials will also have to navigate the outcome of the U.S. election in November, which could produce important policy shifts in Washington. Former President Donald Trump said in a presidential debate Tuesday that he wants the war to end but did not clearly say he wants Ukraine to win.
The top U.S. and British diplomats reached the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland.
Blinken traveled from London, where he accused Iran of providing Russia with Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, calling the move a “dramatic escalation” of the war.
Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: “Russia’s use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. We must be able to respond to such terrorism in kind by destroying military targets on their territory to ensure greater safety for our citizens.”
Wednesday’s visit came ahead of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned trip to Washington, where he will meet Biden at the White House on Friday. Ukraine's request for permission to strike Russian targets is due to feature in the discussion.
The visit was, unusually, announced in advance — a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine.
As Blinken and Lammy arrived in Kyiv, the U.K. announced it would ban 10 commercial ships it accuses of illicitly transporting Russian oil in violation of international sanctions. The U.K. government said the vessels would be barred from British ports and could be detained if they enter.
Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Derek Gatopoulos in Kyiv contributed to this report.
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
On the podium from left, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar Nariman Dzhelyal, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk attend the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
Front from left, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar Nariman Dzhelyal and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy attend the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with chef Yevhen Klopotenko as he visits a restaurant in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, listens as UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, right, speaks during the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (not pictured) and other officials Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (not pictured) and other officials Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is greeted as he arrives at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, right. and US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken arrive at Kyiv train station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy are greeted as they arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, front left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, front left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)
