Royals Snap Home Skid with Explosive Win Over Dodgers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals finally gave their home crowd something to cheer about on Saturday, snapping an 11-game losing streak at Kauffman Stadium with a 9–5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vinnie Pasquantino led the charge, tying a career high with five RBIs. He went deep with a towering three-run homer and added a two-run double, fueling a much-needed offensive outburst for Kansas City. The Royals' four-run fifth inning was their biggest at home since early May.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani made his third pitching appearance of the season, hitting a career-best 101.7 mph on the radar gun with a first-inning double-play ball. He tossed 27 pitches across two scoreless innings as he continues to ease back into pitching duties following Tommy John surgery in 2023. At the plate, Ohtani struggled, finishing 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Royals starter Seth Lugo (5–5) kept the Dodgers in check, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, despite issuing five walks. Dodgers reliever Ben Casparius (6–2) took the loss after surrendering Pasquantino’s long ball and multiple extra-base hits.
Bobby Witt Jr. chipped in with an RBI single and four total hits, while Jonathan India matched him with four of his own. The Royals’ top four hitters combined for 11 hits and eight runs.
Freddie Freeman had a strong showing for Los Angeles, going 3-for-3 with a home run, and the Dodgers managed four runs in the ninth, but the rally came too late to change the outcome. Infielder Miguel Rojas even took the mound in the eighth for LA in mop-up duty.
Notable Stats:
- The Royals now have just 15 home runs at Kauffman Stadium this season — the fewest of any MLB team.
- Saturday’s win ended a six-game overall losing streak for Kansas City.
Looking Ahead:The Dodgers will use another opener in Sunday’s series finale, while Kansas City will send left-hander Kris Bubic (6–5, 2.16 ERA) to the mound.