Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen saved his best effort for his final appearance of the 2025 season. Facing his former team, Lorenzen carved up the Los Angeles Angels in a 9-4 victory at Angel Stadium.

And he did it with relative ease. Lorenzen tied a career-high with nine strikeouts.

The veteran right-hander — who grew up in Anaheim — had sharp command of his pitches and used it to his advantage throughout the night.

In the first inning, Lorenzen struck out the side. He got Los Angeles sluggers Mike Trout and Yoan Moncada looking with a pair of off-speed pitches to end the frame. He navigated around trouble throughout his appearance, limiting the Angels to just two runs.

A pair of solo homers were the lone damage. Angels outfielder Jo Adell hit his 37th, a shot that barely got over center fielder Mike Yastrzemski’s glove. In the sixth inning, Nolan Schanuel also homered.

Lorenzen pitched 5 2/3 innings. He earned his seventh victory of the year, throwing 54 of his 86 pitches for strikes. Per Baseball Savant, he registered 43 swings and 15 whiffs while surrendering five hits and no walks.

The Royals supplied Lorenzen with ample run support. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino belted a two-run home run in the first inning off Angels left-handed starter Mitch Farris.

Pasquantino finished with three RBIs, giving him a career-high 111 this season. He is currently tied with Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene for fifth-most in the majors.

The Royals scored another run in the fifth inning. Bobby Witt Jr. laced a double down the left-field line to extend the lead. Witt leads the majors with 46 doubles in 154 games this season.

Farris took the loss. He allowed four runs in five innings of work.

The Angels narrowed the gap late. In the eighth inning, three-time MVP Mike Trout belted a two-run homer off Royals reliever Steven Cruz. It was the 401st home run of Trout’s career. But the Royals wiggled out of late trouble with four late runs and secured the road win.

With the series victory, the Royals climbed back over .500 with a 80-79 record. Now, they will look to win two of three against the Athletics this weekend in West Sacramento, California, which would enable KC to finish with a winning record this season.

Salvy reaches 100 RBIs

Royals captain Salvador Perez gave the team a significant boost in the ninth inning.

Perez belted a three-run double off Angels reliever Sam Bachman to pad the Royals’ lead. The big hit gave Perez 100 RBIs this year — the third time he has reached that milestone in the regular season.

Recently, Perez surpassed Royals Hall of Famer Hal McRae for second place on the club’s all-time RBIs list. He now trails only George Brett (1,596 RBIs).

Perez and Pasquantino have now both eclipsed 30 homers and 100 RBIs this season.

What’s next: The Royals begin their final series of the 2025 season on Friday against the Athletics. Left-handed rookie Noah Cameron (9-7, 2.90 ERA) will be KC’s starting pitcher at Sutter Health Park. The Athletics have not announced a starter.

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