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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts gesture toward his dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers third baseman Kike Hern谩ndez, left, makes a running throw to first base in front of shortstop Mookie Betts for an out on the Cincinnati Reds’ Jonathan India during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts hits a solo home run off of Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts, right, hits a solo home run as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson watches during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts, second from left, heads to first after hitting a solo home run as Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas, left, and catcher Tyler Stephenson, second from right, watch along with home plate umpire Kerwin Danley during the XX inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts reacts to his leadoff home run, to take a 1-0 lead, during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts scores after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts, right, celebrates his leadoff home run with Shohei Ohtani during the first inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts, left, is congratulated by Shohei Ohtani after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts, left, has sunflower seeds thrown at him by teammate Teoscar Hernandez after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Mookie Betts, left, celebrates his leadoff home run with teammate Teoscar Hern谩ndez during the first inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas throws to the plate against the Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani grimaces after a swing in front of Tyler Stephenson of the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani connects with the ball as he grounds out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts makes a throw to first in front of the Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson to complete a double play during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani heads to first after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures as he heads to second after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures toward his dugout as he rounds third after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after his two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates his two-run home run next to Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates with teammate Will Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, has sunflower seeds tossed at him by Teoscar Hernandez after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has sunflower seeds tossed at him by Teoscar Hernandez after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton throws to the plate during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Mike Ford reacts to his strikeout during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts loses his grip on the ball while failing to turn a double play during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Jonathan India celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run following an error by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts to trail 3-1 to the Dodgers, during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, left, and second baseman Gavin Lux talk after failing to turn a double play during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Stuart Fairchild, right, celebrates with teammate Will Benson after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Stuart Fairchild celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton reacts to a solo home run from the Cincinnati Reds’ Stuart Fairchild during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward reacts as he breaks his bat on a pop fly in front of Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson for an out during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson, right, hits a solo home run as Dodgers catcher Will Smith watches during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson hits a solo home run off of Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson, left, watches the flight of his solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson, right, gestures toward his bullpen as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run as Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman looks on during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Cincinnati Reds’ Will Benson puts the home run robe and helmet on teammate Tyler Stephenson after he hit a home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani grounds into a fielder’s choice during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, is safe at first as Cincinnati Reds first baseman Jeimer Candelario misses the throw during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ohtani advanced to second on the overthrown ball. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani rounds third on the way to scoring on a single by Will Smith during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani scores on a single by Will Smith as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson stands at the plate during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani slides as he scores the go-ahead run past Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, yells after scoring on a single by Will Smith as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson stands at the plate during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring on a single by Will Smith during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, left, fails to block a wild pitch from Fernando Cruz as the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hern谩ndez stands at bat, allowing Freddie Freeman, not pictured, to score during the seventh inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Freddie Freeman scores on a wild pitch from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Fernando Cruz during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux, right, celebrates with teammate Freddie Freeman after Freeman scored on a wild pitch during the seventh inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward gestures as he rounds second after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward (23) celebrates with teammates Kike Hern谩ndez, center, and Andy Pages after Heyward hit a two-run home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson throws to the plate during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson, right, and cactcher Will Smith celebrate after the final out of a 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Members of the Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani, second from right, congratulate each other after the Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 in a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman walks on the field before a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Former NFL and USC running back Reggie Bush, upper left, warms up before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch as his son Uriah looks at Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The 2005 Heisman Trophy belonging to former USC running back Reggie Bush is seen before Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Former NFL and USC running back Reggie Bush, top, poses with his family and the 2005 Heisman Trophy before throwing out the ceremony first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The 2005 Heisman Trophy belonging to former USC running back Reggie Bush is seen before Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Former NFL and USC running back Reggie Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Former NFL and USC running back Reggie Bush, left, jokes with laughs after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Former USC running back Reggie Bush, left, and former USC quarterback Matt Leinart meet on the field after a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Former NFL and USC running back Reggie Bush, left, jokes with former USC quarterback Matt Leinart after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after a throwing session before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warms up prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller, left, jokes with Shohei Ohtani prior to a game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller, right, jokes with Shohei Ohtani prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  A young fan looks at Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani after he gave her a ball prior to a game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warms up prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto warms up prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto warms up prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto warms up prior to a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Friday, May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES 鈥� Friday morning, Shohei Ohtani, Dave Roberts and other members of the Dodgers鈥� organization were at city hall for as long as Ohtani plays for the Dodgers.

Before the game Friday night, Ohtani was asked jokingly if there were any special traditions he would like to establish for Ohtani Day. He played along and laughed off suggestions of gift exchanges or special decorations.

Asked what an appropriate food might be for future Ohtani Day meals, he said, 鈥淪ushi鈥� 鈥� then as he walked away, 鈥淥r pizza.鈥�

A few hours later, Ohtani marked the day in his own way, hitting a two-run home run and later scoring the tie-breaking run as the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-3.

鈥淗e didn鈥檛 homer on his bobblehead day (on Thursday) so he was due to homer on some significant Ohtani day,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l take the home run on Shohei Ohtani Day.鈥�

The opposite-field home run in the third inning was Ohtani鈥檚 13th of the season, tying him with Baltimore鈥檚 Gunnar Henderson and Houston鈥檚 Kyle Tucker for the major-league lead.

Ohtani鈥檚 homer built on an early lead supplied by Mookie Betts, who led off the game with a home run. It was the 51st leadoff home run of his career, fifth all-time.

But the Reds chipped away against James Paxton to tie the score in the sixth inning on Tyler Stephenson鈥檚 solo home run.

Their first run scored during a rough defensive inning for Betts in the fourth. Betts made a throwing error as the run scored and, on the next play, dropped a potential double play ball on the turn at second base, settling for a forceout.

鈥淢aking errors really bothers me. It really, really bothers,鈥� Betts said. 鈥淛ust have to be better than that, man. It doesn鈥檛 just affect me, it affects Paxton to throw more pitches. I just have to keep working.鈥�

With the score tied 3-3, Kik茅 Hernandez led off the seventh inning with a single. Two batters later, Ohtani hit a hard ground ball at first baseman Jeimer Candelario. Candelario got the forceout at second base but shortstop Elly De La Cruz鈥檚 return throw 鈥� pointless because Ohtani was too fast to be doubled up on the play 鈥� went into the Reds鈥� dugout.

鈥淥bviously he hit the ball hard to Candelario there,鈥� Roberts said of Ohtani鈥檚 ground ball, which had an exit velocity of 100.5 mph. 鈥淜ik茅 did a great job that doesn鈥檛 get noticed. He ran inside the baseline. That forced the high throw to De La Cruz then forced the errant throw to the first baseman.

鈥淛ust a heads-up play by Kik茅 and running the ball out by Shohei.鈥�

Ohtani went to second on the throwing error. After an intentional walk of Freddie Freeman, Will Smith shot a ground ball into left field for a single that drove in Ohtani with the go-ahead run. Freeman went to third on the play then scored on a wild pitch by Reds reliever Fernando Cruz.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an open base. You sort of pick your poison,鈥� Roberts said of Reds manager David Bell鈥檚 decision to walk Freeman and have the right-handed Cruz pitch to Smith. 鈥淏ut to me, if you鈥檙e going to pitch to Will, I鈥檒l take our chances any day.鈥�

In the eighth inning, Jason Heyward broke the game open with a two-run home run off another Reds reliever, Alexis Diaz. Heyward was activated from the injured list before the game.

鈥淚t鈥檚 huge. It kind of put the game out of reach at that point and it鈥檚 a good welcome back,鈥� Betts said of Heyward鈥檚 homer. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad he鈥檚 back.鈥�

Heyward had been out since March 30 with a lower back strain and went 0 for 6 on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City this week, ending that after two games.

鈥淗e was getting very antsy not playing,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淐ertainly a two-game rehab is not very extensive, given the time he was off. Jason even said it 鈥� 鈥業 just want to get back in this environment, I think it鈥檒l make me better, kind of speed up the process of getting back into the flow of things.鈥欌��

No rehab assignment can prepare you for major-league competition, Heyward said.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 such a thing as ready or not, I think it鈥檚 a mental thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can go have an amazing rehab stint, and then come back. You鈥檙e still going to have to adjust. It鈥檚 still a different game. There鈥檚 still different information. No disrespect to anyone that鈥檚 not here 鈥� but guys here are the best at what they do and they know how to execute.

鈥淚 just tried to keep making adjustments. I鈥檓 going to have to make adjustments the next day, the next day and the next day. Fifteen years of experience will help you do that.鈥�

Leadoff blast for Mookie Betts!

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

13th homer of the year for Shohei Ohtani

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

The are back in front thanks to a Will Smith single!

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

"Across the board it was really good." Dave Roberts on tonight's win over the Reds.

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

Mookie Betts on his defense at short: "Making errors really bothers me… You just have to be better than that, man. That's really all it is… got to keep working."

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

J-HEY LIFTOFF

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

"Awesome to be back out there, I'll never take that for granted, playing the game. But it's huge to get an at-bat like that, add on, keep some pressure off of us." – Jason Heyward on his return.

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA)

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  UCLA’s Maya Brady hits an RBI double during the second inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA’s Maya Brady scores a run during the first inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA’s Sharlize Palacios, center, celebrates with her teammates after hitting a home run during the second inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. Palacios added a second homer later in the Bruins’ 9-0 win. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA pitcher Kaitlyn Terry throws to the plate during the first inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA’s Seneca Curo beats a throw to third base during the first inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  Grand Canyon pitcher Megan Schumacher throws to the plate during their NCAA regional opener against UCLA on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA’s Sharlize Palacios celebrates after hitting a home run during the second inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. She added a second homer later in the Bruins’ 9-0 win. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA outfielder Janelle Meono catches a fly ball in front of the wall during their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  Grand Canyon’s Mackenzie Nolan bobbles the ball at third base during their NCAA regional opener against UCLA on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA’s Sharlize Palacios runs the bases after hitting a game-ending home run during the fifth inning of their NCAA regional opener against Grand Canyon on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

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  UCLA’s Sharlize Palacios, center, smiles as her teammates congratulate her after her game-ending home run in the fifth inning of their 9-0 rout of Grand Canyon in an NCAA regional opener on Friday night at Easton Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)

LOS ANGELES 鈥� There鈥檚 a softball nesting in the pines right behind Easton Stadium鈥檚 right field wall.

Blame UCLA catcher Sharlize Palacios for that.

It traveled there off the end of her bat in the second inning to give the Bruins a six-run lead against Grand Canyon. It soared a few feet higher than the second one she hit three innings later, which put an early end to Game 2 of the Los Angeles Regional on Friday night.

鈥淚 like hitting to the outside part of the field,鈥� Palacios said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to stay loose.鈥�

That simple trick must be the formula to her hitting seven home runs over the last 12 games.

Palacios contributed to five runs in the Bruins鈥� 9-0 victory over the Antelopes, which ended in the fifth inning because of the run-rule. She helped UCLA (38-10) advance to play Virginia Tech (40-12-1) on Saturday at 2 p.m. Grand Canyon (48-11) will face San Diego State (31-18) in an elimination game at approximately 4:30 p.m.

鈥淗itting is contagious and this team did a great job,鈥� head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. 鈥淭hat overshadowed the freshman K.T. (UCLA pitcher Kaitlyn Terry), what she did in the circle.鈥�

Terry (19-1) pitched five shutout innings, giving up just two hits, while striking out seven. If not for her brilliance 鈥� notably her ability to work out of a second-inning jam 鈥� Palacios鈥� second home run might not have incited the run-rule that early.

鈥淚f she makes a mistake and a hitter gets a hit, she can lock back in,鈥� Inouye-Perez said about Terry. 鈥淟ong balls are part of the game in this day and age, but it鈥檚 not the hit or what happens. It鈥檚 what you do next and she settled in.鈥�

After shortstop Maya Brady scored on Megan Grant鈥檚 sacrifice fly to give UCLA a 1-0 lead, Terry almost conceded that advantage right back to the Antelopes.

In the bottom of the second, GCU鈥檚 Katelyn Dunckel hit a one-out single, then advanced to third after Makaiya Gomez doubled off her. Terry, though, struck out the next two batters to keep Grand Canyon scoreless.

Six of her seven payoff pitches nestled on the outside corner. Four of which got Antelopes looking. She broke that trend in the top of the fourth only to whiz a fastball past the swinging bat of Ramsay Lopez.

鈥淜T is really locked in,鈥� Palacios said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 just going through her process. Those outside pitches were dotted, she was doing a really good job.鈥�

Rather than the offense overshadow her performance, as Inouye-Perez put it, she sparked theirs.

At this point, there鈥檚 no question whether Maya Brady has the proverbial green light when facing a 3-and-0 count. That鈥檚 the level of confidence bestowed upon players who earn consecutive Pac-12 Player of the Year awards, as the Bruins shortstop has.

鈥淚 was lucky enough to be here with the Rachel Garcias and the Bri Perezs and the Aaliyah Jordans,鈥� Brady said of her tenure at UCLA. 鈥淚 felt like I could kind of hang on their coattails and just try to hit, and play center, and whatever. But I think this year, more than ever, my leadership has been super important.鈥�

It showed in the bottom of the second inning when Brady found herself in a spot where most players wouldn鈥檛 have been ceded unconditional freedom.

UCLA was ahead 1-0. The bases were loaded, with nowhere to put her. She had watched three balls pass by. Instead of waiting for a fourth, she pounced on the next pitch, lofting it into center field for a double.

Brady had three hits, two RBIs and scored two runs. Her second-inning hit scored Seneca Curo and Thessa Malau鈥檜lu. She got the Bruins鈥� bats going before Palacios completely broke the game open.

UCLA added one more in the third inning when Jadelyn Allchin doubled home Malau鈥檜lu for her second run of the game before Palacios鈥� second shot sent the Antelopes packing early.

Like her first deep shot, which is presumably still nested in those trees, the Bruins left no doubt that they weren鈥檛 succumbing to a similar fate as last season.

On Wednesday, head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez didn鈥檛 let that predictable storyline 鈥� regarding UCLA鈥檚 loss to GCU in this exact spot last season 鈥� breath any air. These are two very different ball clubs, she said, citing the momentum these Bruins have built as a primary reason.

UCLA backed that sentiment up Friday.

鈥淚t鈥檚 easy when it鈥檚 easy, it鈥檚 easy just to play ball. It鈥檚 tough to lead, especially when you鈥檙e being challenged,鈥� Inouye-Perez said. 鈥淓very year, there鈥檚 a different identity because there are different people, there鈥檚 different leadership. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 most proud of.鈥�

• 

  The Angels’ Willie Calhoun is congratulated after scoring during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim hits a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels left fielder Taylor Ward tries but can’t get to a home run ball off the bat of Jonah Heim of the Texas Rangers (not pictured) during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim, right, celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Angels during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Texas Rangers’ Ezequiel Duran reacts after popping up against the Angels during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

• 

  The Angels’ Luis Rengifo (2) beats the tag while stealing second against Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

• 

  The Angels’ Luis Rengifo slides into home plate to score on a single by teammate Kevin Pillar during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Luis Rengifo celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Kevin Pillar steals third base against Texas Rangers third base Josh Smith (8) during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings in a 9-3 win. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney pitches against the Angels at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto (9) celebrates after his home run with third base coach Eric Young Sr. (85) while running the bases during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto, left, is congratulated at the dugout by Manager Ron Washington, center, and teammate Willie Calhoun after hitting a home run that also scored teammate Jo Adell during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, right, tries to turn a double play as the Angels’ Willie Calhoun is out at second base, allowing teammate Jo Adell to be safe at first base, during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

• 

  Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, left, pulls starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, right, as catcher Jonah Heim, center, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers relief pitcher Grant Anderson pitches against the Angels during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings in a 9-3 win. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, right, makes a point with umpire Adrian Johnson (80) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels outfielder Taylor Ward catches a fly ball after waving off teammate Luis Rengifo during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels manager Ron Washington watches from the dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, left, sits in the dugout after completing the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shaun Anderson pitches against the Angels during the seventh inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Taylor Ward singles during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels relief pitcher Hunter Strickland throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels left fielder Taylor Ward leaps but can’t get to a home run ball off the bat of the Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels relief pitcher Matt Moore throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels closer Carson Fulmer winds up to throw during ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels relief pitcher Carson Fulmer throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels relief pitcher Carson Fulmer, left, and catcher Logan O’Hoppe celebrate their team’s victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels manager Ron Washington, center, brings out the lineup before the team’s baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy looks out from the field before a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels manager Ron Washington walks on the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

ARLINGTON, Texas 鈥� Each time the Angels play a solid game in this disappointing season, Manager Ron Washington says he鈥檚 expecting to eventually see those performances with more consistency.

This is a start. They鈥檝e now managed a two-game winning 鈥渟treak鈥� each of the last two weeks.

The Angels beat the Texas Rangers, 9-3, on Friday night with an impressive all-around performance, after beating the St. Louis Cardinals by five runs on Wednesday. Last week鈥檚 two-game winning streak, which was their first since the opening week of the season, came against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On Saturday, the Angels will have a shot at their first three-game winning streak since they won their fourth in a row on April 3.

None of that means much at this point, but the Angels (17-28) will take any encouraging signs they can get.

鈥淚 hope so,鈥� Washington said when asked if this could be the start of consistently better baseball. 鈥淎nd it all starts with the pitching.鈥�

Angels starter Tyler Anderson gave up one run in seven innings, beating the defending World Series champions.

Zach Neto and Taylor Ward hit homers. All told, the Angels had 14 hits, with eight of their nine starters collecting at least one. Five players drove in runs.

鈥淭he guys are starting to swing the bats,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淓ach night we don鈥檛 have to put up nine but at least give ourselves an opportunity by swinging those bats.鈥�

Neto鈥檚 two-run homer in the fourth inning put the Angels on top to stay. He started the season slowly but has now hit .319 with a .907 OPS since May 4. He has hit three of his five homers in that span.

鈥淗e鈥檚 feeling good about himself,鈥� Washington said, 鈥渁nd he should feel good about himself because he鈥檚 been doing some good things on the offensive side, starting to come around. And we need it.鈥�

Ward blasted his ninth homer of the season.

In between the homers, the Angels broke the game open with a three-run fifth that included RBI hits from Willie Calhoun and Kyren Paris.

Calhoun had a career-high four hits, improving to .365 with a .959 OPS in 13 games with the Angels.

鈥淗e鈥檚 working every day,鈥� Washington said of Calhoun. 鈥淗e鈥檚 applying to things that he鈥檚 supposed to be doing in the box. And it鈥檚 just been awesome to watch him swinging that bat. He鈥檚 finally swinging the bat with consistency. He keeps the hitting going. And that鈥檚 what we have to do. We鈥檝e just got to keep innings going.鈥�

The offensive outburst allowed Anderson to cruise through the Texas lineup without much trouble.

Anderson has now improved his ERA to 2.72 through nine starts, a dramatic improvement from the 5.43 mark he posted in the first year of his three-year, $39聽million deal with the Angels.

Anderson gave up a homer to Jonah Heim in the second. The Rangers had runners at second and third when he escaped that inning.

Starting with the final out of the second, Anderson retired 15 hitters in a row. He ended up allowing only two hits, both in the second inning.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 feel great about my stuff in general, but just trying to compete and keep us in the game, give us a chance,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淛ust tried to mix and move the ball around a little bit. Speed them up. Slow them down. After the second inning, I started throwing some better changeups. Started to get my fastball to some better spots. Just trying to attack and get in the zone as much as I could.鈥�

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In a series of moves, third baseman Max Muncy was placed on the injured list, outfielder Jason Heyward was activated from the IL, outfielder James Outman was demoted to Triple-A along with left-hander Nick Ramirez while Miguel Vargas and right-hander Ricky Vanasco were promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Muncy injured an oblique muscle during batting practice before Thursday鈥檚 game. An MRI revealed a mild strain and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the expectation is that Muncy will be able to return when he is eligible on May 26.

鈥淚t just kind of grabbed a little bit. So he cut his batting practice short,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淚 think we got ahead of it. 鈥� I鈥檓 sure he鈥檚 not going to swing the bat for a couple, two, three days and the hope is he鈥檒l be back on line on the 11th day.鈥�

Outman, meanwhile, has struggled badly at the plate ( .147 batting average and .516 OPS) and was not showing signs of coming out of it 鈥� he was 2 for his last 32 with 14 strikeouts. Andy Pages鈥� ability to play center field and the return of another left-handed hitting outfielder in Heyward prompted the Dodgers to make the decision to send Outman to OKC where he can hopefully work his way back in a less-pressurized environment.

鈥淚t was a tough one. I don鈥檛 think any of us expected to be in this position, given last year and our expectation for him this season,鈥� Roberts said of Outman, who finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting last season. 鈥淏ut with the inconsistencies, the struggles, Jason coming back. … Andy鈥檚 play the last six weeks, we just felt that James needed an opportunity to go down and play every day. There鈥檚 something to getting out of this environment, performance-based and just go out there and playing baseball. Once we can get him back on track, then we can get him back here.鈥�

Vargas can certainly relate to fumbling away a job at the major-league level. The Dodgers鈥� every-day second baseman for the first half of last season, he hit just .195 and was demoted at the All-Star break, spending the rest of the season in Triple-A.

The Dodgers鈥� top-ranked position player prospect before last year, Vargas has rediscovered his swing this season in Triple-A. He hit .295 with a 1.019 OPS thanks to 14 doubles and eight home runs in 39 games.

鈥淗e鈥檚 back to being who he is. I hope that carries over,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淗e has a lot more clarity. He鈥檚 taking better swings, better at-bats, much better production.鈥�

Vargas acknowledges now that a pair of hand injuries led to his downward spiral in 2023. He suffered a hairline fracture of his pinkie finger early in spring training then was hit by a pitch early in the season.

鈥淚 feel obviously the injury I had last year really affected my swing and now I feel like I鈥檓 stronger than last year,鈥� Vargas said.

鈥淎fter the injury I was doing a lot of bad habits and it was hard for me to get back to what I want to be. … 鈥淚t took long. I don鈥檛 even think when I got sent down to Triple-A last year was my best version. Getting an offseason helped me a lot. I recovered my hand and worked on my strength. I really think that helped me, too.鈥�

Moved around between third base, first base and second base in the minors before last season, Vargas returns now as a left fielder. It is the only position he has played in Triple-A this season and the only place the Dodgers will use him, Roberts said.

Kik茅 Hernandez and Miguel Rojas will replace Muncy at third base, Roberts said, with Vargas and Chris Taylor getting playing time in left field when Teoscar Hernandez is there.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that any of those four guys has earned the opportunity to play every single day,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淪o now, it鈥檚 about when you get opportunities go out there and play good to create more opportunity for yourself.鈥�

ALSO

The Dodgers acquired journeyman left-hander Anthony Banda from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations. Banda, 30, has been in Triple-A this year where he had a 2.65 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 17 innings. Banda has a 5.69 ERA in 90 career appearances over parts of seven major-league seasons. He is not on the 40-man roster.

UP NEXT

Reds (RHP Graham Ashcraft, 3-2, 4.12 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Walker Buehler, 0-1, 7.36 ERA), Saturday, 6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

• 

  Kristen Nuss takes a shot against Marine Kinna during a match against Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna during the AVP Huntington Beach Open on Friday in Huntington Beach. Taryn Kloth and Nuss won in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Taryn Kloth, left, and Kristen Nuss celebrate a point during a match against Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna during the AVP Huntington Beach Open on Friday in Huntington Beach. Kloth and Nuss won in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Kristen Nuss, left, and Taryn Kloth go after the ball during a match against Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna during the AVP Huntington Beach Open on Friday in Huntington Beach. Kloth and Nuss won in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Taryn Kloth goes up against Marine Kinna during the AVP Huntington Beach Open in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, May 17, 2024. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nussn defeated Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Taryn Kloth goes after the ball against Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna during the AVP Huntington Beach Open in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, May 17, 2024. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nussn defeated Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Taryn Kloth goes up against Devanne Sours during the AVP Huntington Beach Open in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, May 17, 2024. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nussn defeated Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Taryn Kloth hits the ball past against Devanne Sours during the AVP Huntington Beach Open in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, May 17, 2024. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nussn defeated Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna in two sets. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

HUNTINGTON BEACH 鈥� If you are a fan of beach volleyball, you鈥檝e likely heard of Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth. And if you haven鈥檛 … well, by the end of the summer you could be quite familiar with them, thanks to NBC.

Nuss and Kloth, seeded No. 1 in the women鈥檚 bracket going into this weekend鈥檚 AVP Huntington Beach Open, are the second-ranked women鈥檚 team in the world behind Brazilians Ana Patricia and Duda. They have an enticing back story 鈥� a couple of them, actually, with the pairing of the 5-foot-6 Louisiana native Nuss and the 6-4 South Dakotan Kloth as well as their status as one of the few teams on the AVP tour that doesn鈥檛 use Southern California as its base of operations.

And they are headed for Paris, as the first to qualify for this summer鈥檚 U.S. Olympic team. If all goes as they hope, they should get plenty of time on NBC鈥檚 coverage with their performance and their stories and their personalities, and who knows what kind of commercial opportunities might follow.

鈥淭hat,鈥� Kloth said, 鈥渨ould be amazing.鈥�

鈥淵eah,鈥� Nuss added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I don鈥檛 think either one of us has fully thought about.鈥�

This is not an out-of-nowhere story, not any more. The 26-year-olds began playing together at LSU in 2020, 鈥渋n the darkness of COVID,鈥� Kloth said. Nuss was a Louisiana native, while Kloth had played indoor volleyball at Creighton and migrated to LSU as a graduate transfer in January of 2019.

Since they became a partnership, at the beginning of the 2021 college season, the results have been magic. They finished 36-0 in their final season at LSU. As professionals they鈥檝e won six tournaments on the domestic AVP tour and five in FIVB, or international, competition. In 2023 they won five times between the two, and winning the World Tour finals in Doha, Qatar in December secured their Olympic berth.

They didn鈥檛 realize it until a USA Volleyball official told them in January, but Nuss said it didn鈥檛 really sink in until 鈥渢hree weeks ago, two weeks ago.鈥�

The combination of tall and short might be a conversation piece, but they鈥檝e made it work. Nuss, who will be the shortest U.S. beach volleyball Olympian since 5-6 Barbra Fontana in 1996 in Atlanta, succeeds with a mixture of pace, guile and scrappiness.

One story the Hall of Fame pitcher who lacked velocity but changed speeds and used pin-point location to get people out. Watching Nuss on the court here Friday, you could see similar characteristics in the balls that she put in just the right places, out of her opponents鈥� reach.

Nuss said her aunt texts her before every tournament with the same instructions: 鈥淗it it where they鈥檙e not.鈥�

鈥淎nd that pretty much is our sport, and that鈥檚 my job,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I give all credit to my coach (at LSU), Drew Hamilton, from the beginning. I mean, yes, I am undersized, so you鈥檙e not going to see me outpowering anyone. So it is just all about placement and, very court vision and then just being a scrappy as possible on defense, just making it difficult for the other team to score. But yeah, I give all credit to Drew Hamilton for basically turning me into the player that I am.鈥�

Kloth, who had been an indoor All-American at Creighton, had to figure out what transferred to the sand and what didn鈥檛, and she said it took her 鈥減robably like a year and a half鈥� to adjust.

鈥淒efinitely got thrown into the deep end,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was a big challenge. You have to deal with all of the elements. … Yes, it does have volleyball in it, but it is completely different from the normal.鈥�

They didn鈥檛 play together initially at LSU, but when they convinced Hamiltion to put them together something clicked. Nuss 聽 Both were beach All-Americans in their final season.

鈥淲e were just friends,鈥� Nuss said. 鈥淎nd then it kind of turned into a beach volleyball partnership. I think the fact that we started as friends, that鈥檚 just how it all began. And now she鈥檚 my sister, she鈥檚 an adopted Louisianan, she鈥檚 adopted into my family.鈥�

How inseparable are they?

鈥淲e show up at family events, it鈥檚 Christmas and people are like, 鈥榃here鈥檚 Kristen?鈥欌�� Kloth said. 鈥淚鈥檓 like, 鈥榃ith her family.鈥欌��

So, is there an initiation process necessary to be an adopted Louisianan?

鈥淪he had to try crawfish,鈥� Nuss said. 鈥淗owever, I peeled it for her.鈥�

鈥淭he little eyeballs look at you,鈥� Kloth said.

鈥淪he did go to Mardi Gras,鈥� Nuss said. 鈥淪he experienced a hurricane. She鈥檚 been through it all.鈥�

They represent the state on their caps, and they train at a Baton Rouge beach volleyball facility, eschewing the SoCal beach volleyball scene.

鈥淲e stayed in Louisiana for a reason,鈥� Kloth said. 鈥淲e felt like we had a very good support system there. That鈥檚 where our coach was. And like Kristen always says, we wanted to rewrite the script, that you don鈥檛 have to come out to Southern California in order to make it in the professional world of beach volleyball.鈥�

Nuss acknowledged that there鈥檚 a reason SoCal is considered the epicenter of beach volleyball 鈥� 鈥淭he stands are packed and it鈥檚 a Friday: This is awesome for the sport鈥� 鈥� but she expressed the sentiment that demonstrating you don鈥檛 have to be in California to play the sport could be enticing for other athletes from other regions.

鈥淎nd,鈥� she added, 鈥渋t鈥檚 nice to just kind of be away from everyone.鈥�

If one interview is any indication, their personalities are ideal for the type of featurized coverage NBC is expected to emphasize from Paris. But the competitive half of the equation plays just as well.

Nuss and Kloth ripped through their first matches Friday in the shadow of the Huntington Beach pier, sweeping qualifiers Devanne Sours and Marine Kinna, 21-11, 21-11, shortly after noon and then knocking off Toni Rodriguez and Geena Urango, 21-9, 21-15, in the afternoon. They鈥檒l face Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson in a winner鈥檚 bracket quarterfinal Saturday at 2 p.m.

鈥淲e think it鈥檚 important to refine our game and have people point out the weaknesses, and then we go back to practice and we train and we work on those weaknesses that are exploited,鈥� Kloth said.

The fewer the weaknesses to exploit, the better the chance you鈥檒l remember them after the Olympics have ended.

jalexander@scng.com

No, Mystik Dan doesn’t need a sloppy track 鈥� or “Seinfeld” character Cosmo Kramer’s comedic endorsement 鈥� in the Preakness on Saturday because the Kentucky Derby winner has raced and thrived in all kinds of conditions. But after initial favorite Muth was scratched mid-week and with rain in the forecast potentially mucking up the dirt, Mystik Dan looks like the horse to beat in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

To win, he’ll have to contend with Bob Baffert-trained Imagination, Brad Cox’s Catching Freedom and others in the field of eight.

“It’s not a given: We’ve got to run a good race,” Mystik Dan trainer Kenny McPeek said Thursday. “It’s still not an easy race. There’s no guarantees, and it’s a very humbling sport, but right now we’ve got everything in line.”

All eyes are on Mystik Dan after winning May 4 in the Derby’s first three-way photo finish since 1947, back when horse racing was the sport of kings and captured national attention more than a few times a year. A victory on Saturday would bring absurd hype if a Triple Crown is on the line June 8 in the Belmont Stakes, which is being held at historic Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York for the first time.

MUD MADNESS

That’s three weeks away and far from the minds of those around Mystik Dan, who are focused on putting all the pieces in place for another strong race in the Preakness. And while McPeek insists he is not worried about the weather because he cannot control it, exercise rider and two-time Preakness winner Robby Albarado is “doing a rain dance all this week” because Mystik Dan blew away the competition in the mud in the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 3.

“This colt, the only time he ran on an off track, he excelled,” assistant trainer Ray Bryner said. “It takes other horses’ races away from them. Usually if you’ve god a mudder, they don’t get slowed down much, whereas a lot of horses, they don’t take to kickback that well. They don’t feel as sure-footed in it, and they slip and slide a little bit.”

NO MUTH

Mystik Dan slipped into the favorite role after Muth, also trained by Baffert, who is looking for his record-extending ninth Preakness victory, was ruled out Wednesday for spiking a fever. Baffert said Friday Imagination is “going to have to step it up” to win.

Muth was expected to go out to the lead and set the pace for the others to follow, and Cox acknowledged his absence doesn’t necessarily help Catching Freedom, whose style is to come from behind as a closer.

“(Muth) was going to be right there, if not on the lead,” Brad’s son and Catching Freedom assistant trainer Blake Cox said. “It changes the pace scenario, and we’re going to need a setup to come running and hopefully some other people send out of (the gate quickly) and we can get a setup.”

It might benefit Mystik Dan, with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. looking to again stalk the leaders from the inside and get another ground-saving trip along the rail.

“Brian’s a very talented, talented rider,” said Albarado, who won the Preakness for McPeek in 2020 with filly Swiss Skydiver and anticipates Hernandez taking a similar path. “He’ll have a couple audibles just in case something happens.”

The 1 3/16-mile distance may be just what Mystik Dan needs after almost being caught at the wire by hard-charging Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the Kentucky Derby, which is another quarter of a mile longer.

LONG-SHOT CHALLENGERS

NBC Sports’ Britney Eurton liked Mystik Dan’s chances all along, seeing consistent improvement from him race to race. Her upset pick is Chad Brown-trained Tuscan Gold.

“He knows how to win with a horse that did not run in the Kentucky Derby, and I know this horse is lightly raced,” Eurton said. “He really fits the profile.”

Brown has won the Preakness twice 鈥� Cloud Computing in 2017 and Early Voting in 2022 鈥� and finished second once over the past seven years with a non-Derby horse. Butch Reid has his first Triple Crown starter in Uncle Heavy, who also was not at Churchill Downs.

The last horse to win the Preakness after falling short in the Derby was War of Will in 2019. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will try to replicate that with Just Steel and is also saddling Seize the Grey and figures the latter would perform better if it’s sloppy, while hoping it is not.

“I would prefer a dry track for both of them or at least a drying-out track,” the 88-year-old Lukas said. “I don’t care for the mud.”

It took him over a decade to secure victory No. 5, but when it happened, Gun Song made it look pretty easy down the stretch.

Velazquez rode Gun Song to a 3录-length win Friday at Pimlico Race Course, taking the Black-Eyed Susan for the first time since 2012 with In Lingerie. He also won in 2005, 2003 and 1998.

Longshot Jeanne Marie showed early speed and was still challenging for the lead around the second turn, but after she finally weakened, nobody else provided much of a challenge for Gun Song toward the end of the 1-1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, which takes place the day before the Preakness Stakes.

“She’s a horse that kind of waits, and I wanted to make sure to keep her mind running, and she actually opened up,” Velazquez said. “I didn’t know she was going to open up that much, but she did it nicely. I thought it was going to be a much faster pace, but it didn’t show up.”

Corposo and Call Another Play finished second and third, respectively.

There was no prohibitive favorite in the race, which was the 100th running of the Black-Eyed Susan. The morning line had Corposo (5-2) with the shortest odds, followed by Recharge (7-2), D. Wayne Lukas-trained Lemon Muffin (4-1) and Gun Song (9-2). By the time the race began, Gun Song was favored, followed by Corposo.

Recharge, trained by Steven Asmussen, finished last after bumping with Corposo early.

“I am very proud of her,” said Peter Eurton, Corposo’s trainer. “I thought she was done inside the quarter pole. She got a little more focused. She tends to look around and check things out. We are thinking she can build off this one.”

Gun Song, trained by Mark Hennig, paid $6.60, $3.80 and $2.80. She won in 1 minute, 51.39 seconds. Gun Song hadn’t raced since a fourth-place showing in the Gulfstream Park Oaks 鈥� her stakes debut 鈥� on March 30.

“Turning for home I could see she was pretty strong,” Hennig said. “Other than her last race, she always finishes very well. In my heart, I felt she was a good horse.”

Gun Song is the chestnut daughter of Gun Runner, the 2017 Horse of the Year who was elected to the Hall of Fame last month.

Other stakes winners Friday at Pimlico included Shotgun Hottie in the Allaire Dupont Distaff, She Feels Pretty in the Hilltop and Mystic Lake in the Miss Preakness. Future Is Now took the The Very One Stakes, and Pyrenees prevailed in the Pimlico Special.

Collin Morikawa set the early pace with five straight birdies that carried him to a 65. Xander Schauffele, fresh off his record start of 62, was not letting up in a bid to beat darkness. Tiger Woods had two triple bogeys and was headed toward a short stay at Valhalla.

Those were mere footnotes on a day that was beyond belief.

“I feel like my head is still spinning,” Scheffler said.

The world’s No. 1 player and Masters champion was driving to Valhalla about 6 a.m. when he ran into traffic, unaware police were investigating a pedestrian 鈥� John Mills, who worked for a vendor at the tournament 鈥� being struck and killed by a shuttle bus.

Scheffler . The arrest report indicated a Louisville Metro police officer was dragged to the ground as Scheffler’s car drove by, causing swelling and abrasions on the officer’s left wrist. Scheffler said it was a “chaotic situation” and he never intended to disregard the police instructions. “A big misunderstanding,” he said.

“I can’t imagine what they’re going through. I feel for them,” he said of the victim’s family. “My situation will get handled.”

Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested for second-degree felony assault and three other charges. The winner of a Masters green jacket posed for a mug shot wearing orange jail garb. He could see from the holding cell video of his arrest on ESPN.

His heart was racing and his body was shaking.

“I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell. That was a first for me,” Scheffler said. “I was just sitting there waiting and I started going through my warmup. I felt like there was a chance I may be able to still come out here and play. I started going through my routine and I tried to get my heart rate down as much as I could today.

“I was fortunate to be able to make it back out and play some golf today.”

Not just any golf. He hit a wedge to 3 feet for birdie on his first hole. He was solid from tee-to-green, made a few putts and had a round that ranked among his best under the circumstances.

“As far as best rounds of my career, I would say it was pretty good,” Scheffler said. “I definitely never imagined ever going to jail, and I definitely never imagined going to jail the morning before one of my tee times for sure.”

He practiced a bit after his round, signed a few autographs and was trying to get back into a routine to prepare for what Scheffler expects to be a grind.

That much was evident by the scores. Valhalla is soft and defenseless, and hardly any wind made it even easier.

Morikawa posted from the morning wave at 11-under 131, and Schauffele had moved past him has he headed to the back nine.

Scheffler was at 133 along with Thomas Detry (67) and Mark Hubbard, who had three bogeys and three birdies over his last seven holds in a round of 68.

Hubbard got some attention early Friday with a post to X that referenced Scheffler’s police report, including a listed weight of 170 pounds.

“Scottie’s bigger than me, there’s no way he’s 170,” Hubbard said after his round. “Like, I got to get in the gym and stop eating so much of my kids’ leftover mac and cheese.”

But then he turned serious, as so many other players did, expressing shock over seeing Scheffler in handcuffs and sadness for Mills, the 69-year-old victim.

“I thought the saddest part was that the whole thing was about Scottie getting arrested and all that 鈥� and like I said, I’m glad he’s doing OK and everything 鈥� but I mean, someone died this morning, and we were out there on the course. I bet 90% of the people out here don’t even know that happened.

“That’s not Scottie’s fault at all, but that was the real tragedy today.”

Austin Eckroat, who won his first PGA Tour title earlier this year at the Cognizant Classic, got out of his car in traffic and walked the rest of the way. His wife took the car and later returned. He fashioned another 67 and was in the group at 8-under 134.

“I pulled up the local news station trying to figure out what was going on, and the first thing I saw was Scottie had been put in handcuffs,” Eckroat said. “And I was like, ‘What in the world is going on?’ It was a weird morning.”

The only normalcy was the golf. Schauffele is still going strong. Morikawa keeps moving closer to the form that brought him two majors. And Scheffler still looks like the player to beat.

He couldn’t discuss many details of the arrest for legal reasons. In the three hours he spent away from the course, Scheffler had three wardrobe changes 鈥� gym clothes, jail garb and golf clothes 鈥� took a mug shot and hired an attorney. He got back to Valhalla 56 minutes before his tee time.

And the cheers and support for him were never louder or unusual, especially the chants of “Free Scottie!” and quickly fashioned T-shirts that said the same.

“I’ve kept myself in the tournament now with a pretty chaotic day, so I’m going to go from here and focus on getting some rest and recovery and get ready for a grind the last two days,” Scheffler said.

He was a fifth-round pick (129th overall) in last year鈥檚 draft as a re-entry selection. He joined goalie Vyacheslav Buteyets (Round 6, No. 178 in 2022) among aspiring Ducks to sign their entry-level deals already this offseason.

Dionicio, 20, amassed 73 points in 60 games split between two different Ontario Hockey League clubs this past season. He also notched four points in five games for Switzerland鈥檚 Under-20 side at the World Junior Championships.

While Dionicio鈥檚 profile might not be as high as No. 2 overall selection Leo Carlsson or 2023 Western Hockey League Defenseman of the Year Olen Zellweger, his game is, like theirs, predicated on elusiveness, deception and misdirection.

He also traversed a lightly trodden trail to the NHL. A son of Dominican immigrants born in Newark, his family moved to Switzerland when Dionicio was an infant. There, in the town of Herisau, he played soccer and excelled on the same ice that was strided upon by one Timo Meier, a Swiss star who now plays in Newark with the New Jersey Devils, as well as former Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller.

At 6-foot-2 and more than 200 pounds, Donicio adds another physically formidable, skilled defenseman to a group that includes fellow 2022 draftee Noah Warren, who is even more imposingly sized with agility to spare. Pavel Mintyukov, Tristan Luneau and Zellweger all made their NHL debuts last season and will be counted on to expand their roles in short order.

The Ducks will deepen their prospect pool further in late June, when they have seven selections in the first three rounds of the draft, including the third overall pick and another first-rounder.