Royals Recap
July 05, 2025
•
Sports
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: Kansas City Royals daily updates. If they played a game yesterday give me the highlights.
Transcript
Welcome to Big Dill Sports! I'm Dillon, and today we're diving into the Royals' thrilling 9–3 win over the Diamondbacks. It was a night of fireworks and not just because it was July 4th. Let's break it down.
Kicking off with a bang, Vinnie Pasquantino was the star of the show. He crushed not one, but two homers, leading the Royals with a career-high six RBIs. In the first inning, Pasquantino smashed a three-run homer, propelling Kansas City to an early lead. By the fourth inning, he was back at it with a two-run blast, solidifying his role as a middle-order threat this season.
Mark Canha also joined the home-run party, knocking out his first of the season in the fifth. It was a solo shot that pushed the Royals further ahead, while Salvador Perez made sure to chip in with a run-scoring play of his own.
On the defensive side, Kris Bubic was solid on the mound. He delivered a quality start, allowing only three runs over seven innings. Bubic's ability to handle the Diamondbacks' lineup showcased his veteran composure, especially with the bullpen stepping up to keep Arizona at bay.
Bobby Witt Jr. was another standout. His night included three hits and a crucial RBI single in the second inning. With an impressive on-base streak now at 23 games, Witt is emerging as a pivotal player for the Royals.
Now, let's talk about our 'big dill' of the episode. Unsurprisingly, it's Vinnie Pasquantino. After tonight's performance, with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs on the season, he's proving to be a powerhouse for Kansas City.
This win was crucial for the Royals, moving them closer in the race for a Wild Card spot. Their current record stands at 42–47, and they’re gaining momentum as they cruise through their West Coast trip.
Looking ahead, the Royals will send Michael Wacha to the mound in the next game against the Diamondbacks. A win here could mean a lot in their fight for postseason contention.
And that's it for today’s Royals Recap on Big Dill Sports! Thanks for tuning in. Catch you next time as we follow Kansas City’s quest for victory.
## Game Recap: Royals Rally Past Diamondbacks 9–3 on July 4, 2025
The Kansas City Royals opened their three-game series at Chase Field in Phoenix with a convincing 9–3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Veteran first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino powered the offense with two home runs and a career-high six RBIs, while left-hander Kris Bubic delivered a quality start, yielding three runs over seven innings. This win improved Kansas City’s record to 42–47 on the season and marked their third victory in the last four games, while Arizona dropped to 43–45 amid a three-game skid ([houstonchronicle.com](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/vinnie-pasquantino-has-2-hrs-career-high-6-rbis-20501487.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20250704_KC%40ARI/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Offensive Standouts
Vinnie Pasquantino’s breakout performance anchored the Royals’ offense. In the first inning, Pasquantino crushed a three-run homer off Eduardo Rodríguez, seating the ball in the right-field bleachers to stake Kansas City to a 3–0 lead. He peppered another blast 401 feet over the right-center fence in the fourth, this time a two-run shot that extended the advantage to 8–2. The two homers marked Pasquantino’s second career multi-homer game and underscored his emergence as a middle-of-the-order threat this season ([houstonchronicle.com](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/vinnie-pasquantino-has-2-hrs-career-high-6-rbis-20501487.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [sports.yahoo.com](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/vinnie-pasquantino-2-hrs-career-043100542.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
First baseman Mark Canha also contributed to the early onslaught with his first homer of the season—a solo shot in the top of the fifth off Rodríguez, pushing the lead to 9–2. Salvador Perez chipped in with a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the second inning, plating Bobby Witt Jr. and helping the Royals accumulate six runs before the Diamondbacks registered their second-inning response ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-jul-04-2025-game-boxscore-92493?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/777248?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Bobby Witt Jr. and Supporting Cast
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. continued his torrid stretch at the plate, collecting three hits and extending his on-base prowess. Witt’s first contribution came in the second inning, when he singled home a run to make it 4–2. His presence on the bases provided key protection for Pasquantino, ensuring high-leverage pitches in each of Pasquantino’s pivotal at-bats. Catcher Freddy Fermin also made a heads-up defensive play on a bunt attempt in the opening frame, showcasing the team’s complementary strengths ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/777248?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [houstonchronicle.com](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/vinnie-pasquantino-has-2-hrs-career-high-6-rbis-20501487.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Pitching Performance: Bubic’s Quality Start
Left-hander Kris Bubic (7–6) logged seven innings, surrendered three runs on seven hits and walked three while striking out six. Bubic navigated the Diamondbacks’ lineup with composure, inducing groundouts and limiting big swings despite a brisk pace by the D-backs in the early innings. His ability to bear down after allowing Arizona’s first run—on Eugenio Suárez’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first—demonstrated veteran savvy. The Royals’ bullpen then preserved the lead with two shutout innings, punctuated by right-hander Andrew Benintendi’s perfect ninth to close out the victory ([new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20250704_KC%40ARI/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-jul-04-2025-game-boxscore-92493?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Key Moments and Turning Points
• Top 1st Inning: Pasquantino’s three-run homer off Rodríguez established control early, after Jonathan India had been hit by a pitch and Witt singled. Rodríguez’s fastball left the yard to the right-field bleachers, silencing the Chase Field crowd ([new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20250704_KC%40ARI/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/777248?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Top 2nd Inning: Kansas City tacked on three more, highlighted by Witt’s RBI single, Pasquantino’s run-scoring single, and Perez’s fielder’s choice. The five-run cushion effectively deflated Arizona’s comeback hopes ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-jul-04-2025-game-boxscore-92493?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/777248?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Top 4th Inning: Pasquantino launched his second homer—a two-run blast—to push the lead to 8–2, emphatically sending a pitch 401 feet over the right-center wall for a milestone moment ([new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20250704_KC%40ARI/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-jul-04-2025-game-boxscore-92493?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Top 5th Inning: Canha’s solo homer capped the scoring barrage, his first long ball of 2025 coming at the expense of a fatigued Rodríguez, who gave up eight earned runs in 4⅓ innings ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696229?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [new.cbssports.com](https://new.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20250704_KC%40ARI/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Bot 6th Inning: Suárez broke up Bubic’s shutout bid with a solo home run—his 28th of the season—providing a fleeting spark for the Diamondbacks before the Royals’ bullpen closed the door ([foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals-vs-arizona-diamondbacks-jul-04-2025-game-boxscore-92493?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/777248?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Standings Impact and Series Context
With the win, the Royals moved to within 13 games of division-leading Detroit in the American League Central, improving their pursuit of a potential Wild Card spot. Kansas City sits third in the division at 42–47, five games behind Minnesota for the second Wild Card position, and will look to build momentum as they continue their West Coast trip. Arizona, meanwhile, slipped to fourth in the NL West at 43–45, continuing a slide that has seen the D-backs lose three straight games ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696216), [apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-royals-arizona-diamondbacks-josh-naylor-alec-marsh-jordan-montgomery-9863d73006ff48fcbd636e448deec5ed?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## Player Season Trajectories
• Vinnie Pasquantino: Now with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs on the season, Pasquantino’s slugging percentage has climbed to .480 as he cements himself among the team’s primary run producers ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/vinnie-pasquantino-homers-twice-as-royals-beat-d-backs?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/us-sports/vinnie-pasquantino-s-2-hrs-6-rbis-lead-royals-past-dbacks-101751690524368.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Bobby Witt Jr.: Witt’s three-hit night extended his on-base streak to 23 consecutive road games, breaking Hal McRae’s 42-year-old Royals record. He now boasts 15 stolen bases and a .315 on-base percentage in 2025 ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696216), [espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696216?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Kris Bubic: With this quality start, Bubic has anchored the rotation with a 2.25 ERA on the road and a 7–6 record, demonstrating consistency that the Royals pitchers have at times lacked this season ([espn.com.sg](https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696216?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696229?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
## What’s Next for Kansas City
The Royals will send right-hander Michael Wacha (4–8, 3.62 ERA) to the mound on Saturday in the middle game of the series against Arizona. The Diamondbacks counter with RHP Ryne Nelson (4–2, 3.61 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET at Chase Field, with live coverage on Bally Sports Kansas City and ESPN+. Kansas City will aim to extend its winning ways and claim at least a split in the three-game set before heading to San Francisco for their next road trip ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401696229?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-royals-arizona-diamondbacks-josh-naylor-alec-marsh-jordan-montgomery-9863d73006ff48fcbd636e448deec5ed?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
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