Pasquantino Stars as Royals Beat Dodgers 9-5, End 11-Game Home Skid

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

Vinnie Pasquantino homered, doubled and drove in a career high-tying five runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Saturday to snap an 11-game home losing streak.

Ohtani made his third start of the season and threw the fastest pitch of his career, a 101.7 mph fastball that induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Pasquantino in the first.

The Dodgers' two-way superstar threw 27 pitches in two scoreless innings. He is working as an opener as he eases back into pitching following Tommy John surgery in 2023.

Ohtani went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as LA's leadoff batter.

Pasquantino’s 430-foot, three-run blast to right-center off Ben Casparius (6-2) capped a four-run fifth inning for the Royals, who won at Kaufmann Stadium for the first time since May 31. They ended a six-game skid overall.

Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with a homer for the Dodgers, whose five-game winning streak ended. Infielder Miguel Rojas pitched the eighth.

Seth Lugo (5-5) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight.

Casparius relieved Ohtani in the third and quickly allowed three hits and a pair of runs on Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off the left-field wall.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single in the fifth before Pasquantino went deep. Pasquantino added a two-run double in the seventh.

Jonathan India and Witt each had four hits as the top four Royals batters finished with 11 hits and eight runs.

LA scored four runs in the ninth.

Key moment

The Royals' four-run fifth was their biggest inning at home since they scored four in the eighth against the Chicago White Sox on May 8.

Key stat

The Royals' 15 home-field home runs are the fewest in the majors.

Up next

The Dodgers plan to use an opener for Sunday’s series finale against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-5, 2.16 ERA).

In summary

The Kansas City Royals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on June 28, 2025, snapping an 11-game home losing streak. Vinnie Pasquantino was a key contributor with a home run, double, and five RBIs. Shohei Ohtani made his third pitching start for the Dodgers, throwing two scoreless innings as an opener, including his fastest pitch recorded. Royals pitcher Seth Lugo earned the win with 5 2/3 scoreless innings. The loss ended the Dodgers' five-game winning streak. The Royals' offense was strong at the top of the order, with Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. collecting four hits each.

Related Links

• Los Angeles Dodgers News & Updates
• Los Angeles Dodgers Schedule & Scores
• Kansas City Royals News & Updates
• Kansas City Royals Schedule & Scores
• MLB News