Royals Report: Keystone Cops Defense Kills KC In 9-4 Loss

The Royals vaunted defense let the team down in Anaheim. Poor plays from second baseman Omar Infante and Alcides Escobar lead to costly runs in KC’s 9-4 loss Tuesday to the Angels.

The Kansas City Royals led 4-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning powered by a doubles barrage from left fielder Alex Gordon, catcher Salvador Perez, and right fielder Jarrod Dyson in the top of fourth.

However, the Angels struck back for five runs in the bottom of the fifth when a potential double play ball bounced off the glove of second baseman Omar Infante to load the bases with one out.

Though the play was ruled a hit, Infante’s lapse opened the door to a five-run rally capped by Johnny Giavotella‘s three-run shot off of Edinson Volquez. Alcides Escobar also booted a ground ball in the eighth inning to allow the Angels to add an insurance run off Joakim Soria.

Jarrod Dyson helped out by allowing Giavotella’s fly ball to get past him after attempting to make a diving catch, which put Gio on second.

Really, a sloppy day from both Volquez and his defense.

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Jarrod Dyson smacked two doubles in Tuesday’s game, continuing his solid performance as the number nine hitter in the KC Royals lineup. Dyson is strengthening his hold on a full-time job in right by getting on base.

Mike Moustakas slammed his seventh home run of the season to dead center in the first inning. Moose has picked up 2016 where he left off in the final two months of 2015, when he hit 12 home runs in August and September.

Right now, Moose looks like he is a strong bet to slam 30 home runs—and could even challenge the club home run record of 36 set by first baseman Steve Balboni in 1985.

KEY PITCHING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals: 

Edinson Volquez: 5.0 IP, 12 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, (L, 2-2)

Los Angeles Angels:

Jared Weaver: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (W, 3-0)

KEY HITTING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Mike Moustakas: 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR (7), 1 BB, 1 RBI

Salvador Perez: 2-4, 1 R, 2 2B

Jarrod Dyson: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Los Angeles Angels:

Johnny Giavotella: 3-4, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR(1), 3 RBI

Yunel Escobar: 3-5, 1 R

C.J. Cron: 2-2, 2R, 2 BB

Next: Royals Offseason Interest In Zack Greinke Reveals Front Office Mindset

NEXT GAME:

The KC Royals will send Chris Young (1-3, 6.41 ERA) to the mound against Nick Tropeano (1-0, 1.69 ERA) for Los Angeles 9:05 CST at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Wednesday, April 27.