### Royals Struggle Against Dodgers: A Series Overview The Kansas City Royals faced a challenging weekend as they lost a three-game series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a notable performance from Shohei Ohtani. This series highlighted the Royals' ongoing struggles, particularly at home, where they had recently tied a franchise record with an 11-game losing streak. Despite a brief resurgence with a victory in the second game, the Royals ultimately could not secure a series win against the reigning World Series champions. ### Breakdown of the Series Events 1. **Game 1: Dodgers Edge Royals 5-4** - The series opener saw the Dodgers narrowly defeat the Royals, with Ohtani contributing significantly by hitting a leadoff homer and an RBI triple. This loss marked the Royals' 11th consecutive home defeat, tying a franchise record [https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/dodgers-hand-royals-record-tying-11th-straight-home-loss-2025-06-28]. 2. **Game 2: Royals Snap Losing Streak with 9-5 Victory** - In a much-needed turnaround, the Royals defeated the Dodgers 9-5, ending their home losing streak. Vinnie Pasquantino was the standout player, driving in five runs with a three-run homer and a two-run double. This victory was crucial as it marked the Royals' first home win in nearly two months [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/pasquantino-drives-in-five-as-royals-beat-dodgers-20399164.php]. 3. **Game 3: Royals Fall Short Again** - The final game of the series saw the Royals unable to maintain their momentum, losing to the Dodgers once more. This defeat underscored the team's ongoing struggles, as they failed to capitalize on their brief resurgence from the previous game [https://www.thepitchkc.com/photos-royals-lose-series-to-dodgers-and-ohtani]. ### Key Performance Metrics - **Vinnie Pasquantino's Performance:** - Game 2: 5 RBIs, 1 HR, 1 2B - Overall, he was a critical factor in the Royals' only win of the series [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2025/jun/29/kansas-city-ends-11-game-home-losing-streak]. - **Team Statistics:** - Home Losing Streak: 11 games tied a franchise record. - Game 2 Highlights: 14 hits, including significant contributions from Bobby Witt Jr. and Jonathan India [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_top_dodgers_to_snap_11_game_home_skid/s1_17044_42389517]. ### Conclusion: A Series of Missed Opportunities In summary, the Kansas City Royals faced a tough series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, characterized by a mix of disappointment and a brief glimmer of hope. 1. **Game 1 Loss:** The Royals continued their home struggles, losing 5-4 to the Dodgers, with Ohtani's performance being a highlight for the visitors. 2. **Game 2 Win:** A much-needed victory came in Game 2, where Pasquantino's standout performance helped snap the home losing streak. 3. **Game 3 Loss:** The series concluded with another loss, leaving the Royals to reflect on missed opportunities against a formidable opponent. The Royals will need to build on their brief success in Game 2 to improve their overall performance moving forward [https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-dodgers-kansas-city-royals-illinois-alec-marsh-michael-grove-0062f76addfe4de48b2a8bdb5addd50c].