The Kansas City Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Friday, April 4, 2025, in the first game of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Royals starter Seth Lugo pitched six strong innings to earn the win, while Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer took the loss after allowing three runs over 4.1 innings.
The Royals struck first in the bottom of the opening frame when Bobby Witt Jr. scored on a single by Vinnie Pasquantino, giving Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Baltimore responded in the second inning, tying the game at 1-1 when Heston Kjerstad drove in Ryan O’Hearn with a single. The Orioles then took a brief 2-1 lead later in the inning on a double by Tyler O’Neill, scoring Kjerstad.
Kansas City regained control in the fourth, tying the game at 2-2 on a double by Salvador Perez that scored Witt Jr. The Royals broke the game open in the eighth inning, plating five runs off Orioles reliever Cionel Pérez. Maikel Garcia delivered a two-run double, and Pasquantino followed with a bases-loaded single that drove in three, pushing the lead to 8-2.
Lugo (1-0, 3.27 ERA) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out two and walking one over six innings. He credited his defense for key plays, including an outfield assist by Joey India that cut down O’Neill at home in the second. Royals relievers Hunter Harvey, Lucas Erceg, and Chris Stratton combined for three scoreless innings to seal the victory.
Kremer (1-1, 6.52 ERA) struggled, surrendering three runs (two earned) on eight hits in 4.1 innings. A fielding error by shortstop Gunnar Henderson in the first inning contributed to an unearned run. Baltimore’s bullpen held steady until the eighth, when Pérez faltered, allowing five runs on three hits and a hit-by-pitch.
Offensively, Garcia led the Royals with three hits and three RBIs, while Pasquantino drove in three runs on two hits. Witt Jr. scored twice and stole a base, raising his season total to three. For the Orioles, Kjerstad went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Cedric Mullins added a double, continuing his strong start with a .310 average.
The game, played in 47-degree cloudy conditions with 11 mph winds, drew 14,196 fans. It marked Baltimore’s drop to 3-5, placing them fifth in the AL East, while Kansas City improved to 3-4, sitting third in the AL Central. The teams meet again Saturday at 7:10 p.m. CDT.
