If disrespect sparks motivation, then it’s easy to understand Jose Lima’s performance on Wednesday night against the Dodgers. Lima won 13 games for L.A. in 2004, but wasn’t offered a multi-year contract. So he came to Kansas City, where he flopped to an 0-5 record with an ERA of 8.16. Facing his old team turned him into the pitcher of 2004, as the Royals topped the Dodgers 3-1 at Kauffman Stadium.

Lima lasted eight innings and allowed one run off five hits and a walk. His only hiccup came in the fourth inning when Jeff Kent singled in Jason Werth to tie the game 1-1.

Matt Stairs gave the Royals the lead back in the fifth inning with an RBI single to score Angel Berroa. Emil Brown was up next and ripped a single to score David DeJesus. Brown drove in the game’s first run with an RBI double in the first inning. No one scored after the fifth.

Lima was replaced for reliever Mike MacDougal in the ninth inning, who threw just eight pitches to earn his eighth save of the season and his second in as many nights.

With the win, the Royals clinched another series victory under manager Buddy Bell. In the five series he’s managed, the Royals have won four of them and Bell is 10-4 since taking over.

The only bad news for the Royals on Wednesday came in the fourth inning when first baseman Mike Sweeney collided with Jason Werth. Sweeney suffered a sprained left wrist and elbow. He’ll undergo tests today, but team doctors don’t think his injury is serious.