Royals power up with team-record 7 HRs vs Orioles

BALTIMORE (AP) — Taking a break from their usual small-ball style, the Kansas City Royals flexed their muscles during an unprecedented display of power.

The Royals smashed a franchise-record seven home runs Sunday in an 11-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. It was a surprising performance by a team that entered with a major league-low 18 homers in its first 34 games.

Maikel Garcia went deep twice in his first career multihomer game. Jonathan India hit his first homer with Kansas City, and Luke Maile, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey joined the fun by depositing balls over the wall at Camden Yards.

Rather than work runners around the bases with bunts and singles, the Royals took the slugger's route to victory.

“Pretty remarkable,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We made so much how we struggled offensively. A day like that is very satisfying.”

The Orioles hit four homers of their own in a see-saw duel, but in the end, the Royals — for a rare change — simply overpowered their foes.

“It was definitely the first game we've had like that this year, the back-and-forth slugfest,” Quatraro said. “Guys just had to focus, and they didn't miss their pitches. ... It was a fun game, but nerve-wracking."

The Royals hadn't hit as many as six homers in a game since 2020. On this day, however, the elements and the shorter fence in left field proved to be no challenge for a Kansas City team that had scored four runs or fewer in 29 of its first 34 games.

“First thing I saw when the game started with the wind was blowing out to left-center, and they had brought the fences in from last year,” Quatraro said. “It's a hitter's park. We know that.”

It sure was for the Royals, who pulled away in the eighth when Witt and Pasquantino connected against Yennier Cano, who hadn't allowed a run all year. Not surprisingly, it was the first time this season that Kansas City went deep on back-to-back trips to the plate.

The Royals got homers from their leadoff hitter (India) and No. 9 hitter (Maile). For India, the trip around the bases after he cleared the left-field wall in the fifth inning was nothing short of delightful.

“It felt great,” said India, who hit 63 homers in his first four seasons with Cincinnati before he was traded to Kansas City in November. “I put a good swing on a good pitch. Thank goodness they have a short fence out there. I thought it was just a ball in the gap.”

On this day, he was merely one of many Kansas City starters to hit the ball out.

“Everybody was on today,” he said.

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Kansas City Royals' Luke Maile hits a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) celebrates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Kansas City Royals' Jonathan India celebrates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey celebrates with teammate Drew Waters after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.

Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.

That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.

Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.

Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.

Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.

Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.

The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.

Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.

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Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)