The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their march through the summer with yet another commanding performance, this time behind home runs from Kike Hernández and Will Smith, and a dazzling six-inning start by rookie left-hander Justin Wrobleski. In a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, the Dodgers flexed both their offensive depth and emerging pitching power, reaffirming their position as one of the most balanced teams in Major League Baseball.
Wrobleski, making just his second career start for the Dodgers, delivered with poise well beyond his years. The 23-year-old southpaw carved through the Royals’ lineup across six strong innings, allowing only three hits and one unearned run. He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter, showcasing sharp command and impressive mound presence that had Dodger Stadium buzzing. It was the kind of performance that not only earned him a standing ovation from the home crowd but also likely locked him in for a longer look in the rotation.
“He’s just got that calm about him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. “He’s not overpowering with the fastball, but he changes speeds, hits spots, and trusts his stuff. That’s exactly what you want to see from a young pitcher.”
The Dodgers backed Wrobleski with a well-balanced offensive attack. After a relatively quiet first two innings, the bats woke up in the third when Kike Hernández launched a solo homer into the left-field pavilion, giving L.A. a 1-0 lead. The blast, Hernández’s fifth of the season, came on a hanging curveball that he didn’t miss, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Two innings later, Will Smith added some fireworks of his own with a two-run shot off Royals starter Cole Ragans. Smith turned on a fastball and sent it 410 feet over the center-field wall, his 14th homer of the season and a reminder of why he remains one of the most dangerous hitting catchers in the game.
“Anytime you can get on the board with the long ball, it energizes the whole lineup,” Smith said. “We’ve been doing a good job lately of mixing aggressive swings with patient at-bats, and that balance is what makes us tough to pitch to.”
The Dodgers tacked on two more insurance runs in the sixth, capitalizing on a Royals defensive miscue and a clutch RBI single by Freddie Freeman. Freeman, who went 2-for-4, extended his hitting streak to nine games and continues to anchor the lineup with his signature blend of power and patience. Mookie Betts added a double and a walk, further cementing his status as the tone-setter at the top of the order.
Despite falling behind early, the Royals had little success figuring out Wrobleski. Kansas City’s only run came in the fifth, when a throwing error by shortstop Miguel Rojas allowed Bobby Witt Jr. to score from second base. But Wrobleski calmly worked around the mistake, inducing a double-play ball to end the threat and preserve the Dodgers’ lead.
“I just tried to keep it simple and let the defense work,” Wrobleski said after the game. “These guys behind me make great plays all the time. I just need to get the ball in the zone and let it happen.”
The Dodgers bullpen took over from there and didn’t miss a beat. Blake Treinen pitched a scoreless seventh, Brusdar Graterol followed with a shutdown eighth, and Alex Vesia closed it out in the ninth. In all, the bullpen trio combined for three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and no walks, while striking out five.
For the Royals, it was a frustrating afternoon that saw them muster only four hits and go 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Cole Ragans, their young lefty starter, lasted 5.1 innings and gave up four earned runs on seven hits. He struck out six but was ultimately done in by the long ball.
“We couldn’t string anything together offensively, and their kid pitched well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro admitted. “Ragans had some good moments, but against a lineup like that, mistakes are going to hurt you.”
This win marks the Dodgers’ 12th victory in their last 16 games and improves their record to 51-30, as they continue to hold firm atop the National League West. With the return of key players from the injured list and the emergence of new contributors like Wrobleski, the team is rounding into form at the right time.
The rookie’s performance was particularly encouraging for a Dodgers staff that has dealt with a rash of injuries to its starting rotation. With Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Clayton Kershaw all still working their way back to full strength, opportunities have opened for pitchers like Wrobleski to make their mark.
“He’s been lights-out in Triple-A, and we’re seeing that translate here,” Roberts said. “The way he’s attacking hitters, mixing pitches—it’s impressive.”
In the postgame clubhouse, Wrobleski was humble about his success, crediting veteran catcher Will Smith for guiding him through the game plan and pitch sequencing. The bond between the two was evident, as Smith praised the young pitcher’s poise and competitiveness.
“He’s not afraid of the moment,” Smith said. “He’s out there competing like he belongs, and that’s half the battle.”
With the All-Star break looming, the Dodgers appear to be peaking at just the right time. The offense is clicking, the bullpen is dependable, and now, a fresh arm in Wrobleski adds a new wrinkle to an already deep pitching staff.
Up next, the Dodgers will host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game set starting Tuesday night. All eyes will be on whether Wrobleski earns another start—and if he can replicate Sunday’s success. For now, though, the Dodgers will savor a complete team win that featured power, pitching, and poise.
Meanwhile, the Royals head back home licking their wounds after a winless series at Chavez Ravine. While Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino continue to show flashes of star potential, Kansas City still has work to do in all phases if they hope to stay competitive in the AL Central.
As for Hernández and Smith, their home runs added a spark to a team that’s never short on star power. Both have been reliable contributors throughout the season, and Sunday’s game was yet another reminder that the Dodgers’ lineup doesn’t need to rely solely on its marquee names. On any given day, someone is ready to step up.
In many ways, Sunday’s win felt like a microcosm of the Dodgers’ 2025 season: a blend of proven veterans, savvy depth pieces, and a new wave of young talent ready to carry the torch. If Justin Wrobleski’s outing is a sign of things to come, the National League may need to brace itself for yet another dominant Dodgers stretch run.
For the fans at Dodger Stadium, the message was loud and clear. With home runs sailing into the stands and a rookie phenom mowing down batters, the energy was electric. And with each win, the belief grows stronger that this Dodgers team, already stacked with talent, might be unlocking yet another gear as the summer heats up.
One thing is certain—on this Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles, the stars aligned perfectly. And the Dodgers, once again, looked every bit like a team destined for October glory.
