Tatis Jr. Homer Snaps Drought, Padres Top Royals 5-1 in San Diego

Saturday, June 21st, 2025

SAN DIEGO -- Fernando Tatis Jr. launched a three-run homer to end his long power drought and Dylan Cease pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning as the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

Luis Arraez gave San Diego a 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the third, and the Padres won for the third time in 10 games.

The loss halted Kansas City’s four-game winning streak.

With the Padres ahead by one in the seventh, Jose Iglesias and Bryce Johnson hit consecutive singles. Tatis followed by smashing a 96 mph sinker from reliever Taylor Clarke into the left-field bleachers for his 14th homer this season and first since May 27.

Cease (3-6) effectively mixed his four-seam fastball and slider to keep the Royals from mounting much offense. He gave up one run and struck out four in 6 2/3 innings.

Adrian Morejon retired all five batters he faced to seal it for San Diego.

Royals starter Noah Cameron (2-3) permitted two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Jake Cronenworth had an RBI groundout for the Padres in the second. John Rave tied it 1-all with a run-scoring double in the third.

Key moment

With a runner on second in the eighth and the Royals trying to mount a comeback, Iglesias made a spectacular play at third base to rob Vinnie Pasquantino of a hit.

Key stat

Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts continued his torrid hitting with two more singles. He has hits in 10 of his last 13 at-bats spanning three-plus games. During that stretch, Bogaerts has a home run, two doubles and seven singles.

Up next

Royals RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 3.05 ERA) starts the finale of the three-game series Sunday against RHP Randy Vasquez (3-4, 3.70).

In summary

The San Diego Padres defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on June 21, 2025, behind a strong outing from starting pitcher Dylan Cease and a crucial three-run home run by Fernando Tatis Jr., his first since late May. Luis Arraez also contributed an RBI single. Cease earned the win, while Royals starter Noah Cameron took the loss. The win for San Diego snapped Kansas City's four-game winning streak. Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak for the Padres. The teams will conclude their series on Sunday.

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