Kansas City, MO – Vinnie Pasquantino delivered a career-tying five RBIs on a home run and a double, leading the Kansas City Royals to a much-needed 9-5 victory over Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. The win at Kauffman Stadium snapped a disheartening 11-game home losing streak for the Royals, their first triumph in front of their home crowd since May 31st.
Pasquantino’s heroics were highlighted by a 430-foot, three-run blast to right-center off Ben Casparius (6-2) in a four-run fifth inning that effectively put the Royals in control. He later added a two-run double in the seventh, cementing his impactful performance. Bobby Witt Jr. also contributed significantly with an RBI single in the fifth, and both Witt Jr. and Jonathan India each collected four hits, as the top four batters for the Royals combined for 11 hits and eight runs.
Dodgers’ two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani made his third start of the season, working as an opener as he continues his return to pitching following Tommy John surgery in 2023. Ohtani threw 27 pitches over two scoreless innings, notably unleashing the fastest pitch of his career, a 101.7 mph fastball that induced an inning-ending double-play grounder from Pasquantino in the first. However, Ohtani struggled at the plate, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as the Dodgers’ leadoff batter.
Relief pitcher Ben Casparius entered the game for the Dodgers in the third and quickly surrendered three hits and a pair of runs, including Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off the left-field wall.
On the mound for the Royals, Seth Lugo (5-5) delivered a strong performance, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and five walks while striking out eight.
Despite a late rally by Los Angeles, who scored four runs in the ninth inning, the Dodgers’ five-game winning streak was brought to an end. Freddie Freeman provided some offense for the Dodgers, going 3-for-3 with a home run. Infielder Miguel Rojas even took the mound for the Dodgers in the eighth inning.
The Royals’ four-run fifth inning marked their biggest inning at home since they also scored four in the eighth against the Chicago White Sox on May 8th. Despite the offensive outburst, the Royals’ 15 home-field home runs remain the fewest in the majors.
The Dodgers have yet to announce their starting pitcher for Sunday’s series finale. The Royals are set to counter with left-hander Kris Bubic (6-5, 2.16 ERA). Pregame coverage for Sunday’s contest on Superstar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM KQNK begins at 12:30 PM, with first pitch from Kauffman Stadium scheduled for 1:10 PM.
