Shohei Ohtani provided a spark on both ends of the game, launching his 29th home run in the opening at-bat and later hitting an RBI triple to help lift the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium. The victory marked the fifth consecutive win for the Dodgers and extended the Royals’ losing streak to six games.
Ohtani’s home run came on the first pitch of the game, a shot to right field off Royals left-hander Noah Cameron. It was his eighth leadoff homer of the season, the most in Major League Baseball. In the fifth inning, Ohtani added his league-leading seventh triple of the year to tie the game at four, later scoring on a single by Mookie Betts.
Max Muncy also contributed significantly for Los Angeles, hitting a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. That advantage was short-lived, as Kansas City responded in the bottom half with three runs, including a two-run homer by Bobby Witt Jr., which gave the Royals their first lead in a game since Sunday.
The Dodgers reclaimed the lead in the fifth inning, and their bullpen preserved it over the final four innings. Lou Trivino earned the win after recording five outs in relief, improving to 3-0 on the season. Five Dodgers relievers combined to shut out the Royals following starter Dustin May’s departure. It may allow four runs on six hits and three walks over four innings.
Kansas City could tie or win the game in the bottom of the ninth. Tanner Scott, seeking his 18th save of the season, allowed singles to Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez and walked Vinnie Pasquantino to load the bases with one out. Jac Caglianone then hit a sharp ground ball to second baseman Tommy Edman, who initiated a double play with a backhand flip to Betts. Betts’ throw bounced to Freddie Freeman, who made an acrobatic stretch and fell to the ground while securing the ball for the final out. The defensive effort preserved the win and capped another late-inning save for Scott.
Cameron, making his ninth start of the season, was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on three hits and three walks in four-plus innings. Perez drove in a run for the Royals with a single in the first, while Kyle Isbel added an RBI double in the second inning.
The Royals’ losing streak at home reached 11 games, matching the franchise’s longest home losing streaks, previously recorded in 2011–2012 and again in 2013. Kansas City dropped to 0-6 on its current homestand.
The series continues Saturday with Shohei Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) scheduled to make his third pitching appearance since returning from elbow surgery. He will face Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA). According to current betting odds, the Dodgers are -150 road favorites, while the Royals are listed as +130 underdogs. The over/under for total runs is set at 9.
