Royals Recap
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 back to Big Dill Sports! I’m Dillon, your host, ready to dive into another exciting episode of “Royals Recap.” Today, we're breaking down the Kansas City Royals' solid 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on September 23, 2025. Let's get into it.
Despite being knocked out of playoff contention, the Royals shook off a two-game losing streak with style, controlling the game from start to finish at Angel Stadium. The win brought their record to 79-78, showing resilience and a strong push to end the season on a high note.
Let’s kick things off with the pitching performance. Cole Ragans was on fire, delivering a season-best performance. Over five innings, he struck out ten batters, allowing just two earned runs on three hits. It was his first win since May 5th, and it’s exciting to see him shine after returning from an injury. The bullpen had mixed results, with Josh Staumont and Scott Alexander holding the line. Sam Long, however, gave up a couple of runs in the ninth, including a homer by Taylor Ward. Overall, the pitching staff set the tone with a total of 13 strikeouts.
The Royals wasted no time getting their offense going. In the first inning, Maikel Garcia’s double and Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI single set the stage. Add a wild pitch and a clutch hit from Salvador Perez, and it was quickly 2-0 in our favor. This early burst of energy paved the way for the night’s success.
Offensively, the Royals kept the pressure on. Maikel Garcia was a standout, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, and an RBI. It was his 11th three-hit game of the season, and he was instrumental throughout. Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, adding crucial support. Vinnie Pasquantino and newcomer Carter Jensen also contributed to the scoreboard, underscoring the team’s depth and determination.
Let’s turn the spotlight on the big dill of the game: Salvador Perez. He made history by surpassing Hal McRae for second place on the Royals’ all-time RBI list with his first-inning single. With a career total now at 1,013 RBIs, he trails only the legendary George Brett. This milestone is just another chapter in Perez's Hall of Fame–worthy career, showcasing his importance to this franchise.
On the flip side, the Angels had their moments too. Bryce Teodosio celebrated his first career home run, and Taylor Ward launched his 35th of the season. Despite these highlights, the Angels have struggled recently, dropping ten of their last eleven games.
As we look at the bigger picture, the Royals’ win serves as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season. They won’t hit the postseason this year, but with players like Garcia, Ragans, and Jensen stepping up, there’s hope and excitement for what 2026 could bring.
That wraps up this episode of “Royals Recap.” As the season draws to a close, we’ll keep an eye on how the Royals finish and explore what’s next for this team. Until then, stay tuned to Big Dill Sports for more insights and updates. Thanks for listening, and remember, every player might be a big dill in their own way! Catch you next time!
## Game Summary
On September 23, 2025, the Kansas City Royals snapped a two-game skid with an 8–4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The win improved Kansas City’s record to 79–78 overall and 36–40 on the road, but came shortly after the club was officially eliminated from American League wild-card contention with five games remaining in the regular season ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/salvador-perez-takes-2nd-royals-rbi-list-win-over-angels--flm-2025-09-24/?utm_source=openai)). Despite the loss of playoff hopes, the Royals dominated wire-to-wire, capitalizing on early offensive bursts and strong starting pitching to control the contest from the outset ([royalsreview.com](https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-royals-game-recaps/87999/royals-fans-enraptured-with-a-delightful-8-4-win-over-angels)).
## Pitching Performance
Starter Cole Ragans delivered a season-best performance, tallying 10 strikeouts over five innings while allowing just two earned runs on three hits and issuing one walk. It was Ragans’s second outing since returning from the injured list with a left rotator-cuff strain, and his first win since May 5 ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/salvador-perez-takes-2nd-royals-rbi-list-win-over-angels--flm-2025-09-24/?utm_source=openai)). After Ragans exited with a 6–2 lead, the Royals’ bullpen turned in a mixed bag: Josh Staumont and Scott Alexander combined for two scoreless frames, but reliever Sam Long surrendered two runs in the ninth, including Taylor Ward’s solo homer ([royalsreview.com](https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-royals-game-recaps/87999/royals-fans-enraptured-with-a-delightful-8-4-win-over-angels)). Overall, Kansas City’s pitchers fanned 13 batters, setting the tone for the team’s balanced attack ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401697262?utm_source=openai)).
## First-Inning Offensive Surge
The game’s decisive moment arrived in the very first inning, when the Royals pounced on Angels starter Sam Aldegheri. Maikel Garcia worked a full count before doubling to left field, and Bobby Witt Jr. followed with an RBI single. A wild pitch then plated Garcia, and Salvador Perez’s subsequent base hit drove in Witt, giving Kansas City a 2–0 advantage and establishing offensive momentum ([royalsreview.com](https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-royals-game-recaps/87999/royals-fans-enraptured-with-a-delightful-8-4-win-over-angels)). This early output set the blueprint for the night, allowing Manager Matt Quatraro to lean on his bullpen and attack the Angels’ pitching staff throughout the remainder of the contest.
## Offensive Standouts
Beyond the opening frame, the Royals continued to chip away. Maikel Garcia finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, and an RBI—his 11th three-hit game of the season and second career outing with that many hits and runs ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401697262?utm_source=openai)). Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each knocked in two runs; Witt’s contributions included a pair of singles in the eighth that helped widen the margin, while Frazier’s seventh-inning two-RBI single provided critical insurance ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/salvador-perez-takes-2nd-royals-rbi-list-win-over-angels--flm-2025-09-24/?utm_source=openai)). Vinnie Pasquantino chipped in with an RBI double in the fifth, and newcomer Carter Jensen added a run-scoring extra-base hit, underscoring Kansas City’s depth in a season that has seen numerous role players step up ([royalsreview.com](https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-royals-game-recaps/87999/royals-fans-enraptured-with-a-delightful-8-4-win-over-angels)).
## Salvador Perez Milestone
Veteran catcher Salvador Perez etched his name further into Royals lore by extending his career RBI total to 1,013 with his first-inning single, surpassing Hal McRae for second place on the franchise’s all-time list ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/salvador-perez-takes-2nd-royals-rbi-list-win-over-angels--flm-2025-09-24/?utm_source=openai)). Perez, who entered the game with 96 RBIs on the year, now trails only George Brett’s 1,596. His milestone knock capped a season in which, despite Kansas City’s struggles, he provided a steady veteran presence both behind the plate and in the lineup. The achievement marks yet another chapter in a Hall of Fame–caliber career for the 35-year-old backstop.
## Angels’ Bright Spots
Though on the losing end, Los Angeles saw a milestone of its own: outfielder Bryce Teodosio belted his first career home run in the fifth inning, driving a fastball over the left-field wall in his 45th Major League game. Later in the ninth, Taylor Ward launched his 35th homer of the season off Sam Long, narrowing the gap before the Royals closed out the win ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/salvador-perez-takes-2nd-royals-rbi-list-win-over-angels--flm-2025-09-24/?utm_source=openai)). Despite dropping 10 of their last 11 contests, the Angels’ lineup continues to showcase power potential, even as below-average on-base and slugging metrics have hindered their overall competitiveness ([royalsreview.com](https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-series-previews/87907/angels-series-preview-a-mickey-mouse-operation?utm_source=openai)).
## Season Context and Outlook
The September 23 triumph provided a bright moment in an otherwise disappointing campaign, as Kansas City fell short of returning to postseason play for the ninth time in ten seasons ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401697262?utm_source=openai)). With a maximum of five remaining games, the club is mathematically unable to reach the 85-win threshold currently held by the Guardians, Tigers, Red Sox, and Astros ([royalsreview.com](https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-royals-game-recaps/87999/royals-fans-enraptured-with-a-delightful-8-4-win-over-angels)). Looking ahead, the Royals prepare to conclude the road trip with a two-game set in Anaheim and a three-game finale against the Oakland Athletics, hopeful that the late-season call-ups and players like Garcia, Ragans, and Jensen can build momentum into 2026.
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