Royals Report: Leonys Martin Robs Sal Perez To Send KC To 1-0 Loss

The Royals remained stuck in their losing streak, dropping their fourth straight game Friday night in Seattle despite allowing only one hit in a 1-0 loss.

The Kansas City Royals offense is in such a slump, they can’t win a game even when their pitchers allow only one hit. Unfortunately, Seattle Mariners right fielder Seth Smith slammed a solo home run off Kris Medlen in the sixth inning to put Seattle up 1-0.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez held the KC Royals scoreless over eight strong innings to earn the win.

In the ninth, Eric Hosmer opened the inning with a single, and stole second after Kendrys Morales struck out. Before whiffing on ball four, Morales hit a long foul ball just wide of the pole in right field on a 3-2 count. He just missed a 2-run shot to give the Kansas City Royals a one-run lead.

Along with the close miss by Morales, catcher Salvador Perez pulled a sharp grounder just wide of the third base line with Hosmer on third and two outs. He ended the game with a deep drive to center field that Leony Martin grabbed while slamming into the padding on the wall to save a one-run victory for Seattle.

Not only is the offense cold, the Kansas City Royals aren’t catching luck. It all adds up to a four-game losing streak for the defending champs.

Both shortstop Alcides Escobar and outfielder Jarrod Dyson stole their 150th career base in Friday’s game.

FANTASY NOTE:

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While the rest of the KC Royals offense is ice cold, first baseman Eric Hosmer continues to hit. He stroked two singles on Friday to extend his hitting streak to 18-games. Hosmer is sporting an outstanding .341/.385/.529 slash line with two home runs this season. He’s showing great consistency at the plate and is poised for what appears to be a breakout season.

Starting pitcher Kris Medlen bounced back from a rough outing on Saturday against Baltimore in which he gave up seven runs in only 3.2 innings. However, I wouldn’t run out and grab him in fantasy baseball just yet. Medlen has struggled with his control all season, walking 11 hitters in 15.0 innings pitched. Despite the 1-hit performance on Friday, he still hasn’t found a groove in 2016.

KEY PITCHING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals: 

Kris Medlen: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (L, 1-2)

Seattle Mariners:

Felix Hernandez: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (W, 2-2)

Steve Chishek: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K, SV (6)

KEY HITTING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Alcides Escobar: 1-3, 1 BB, 2 SB

Eric Hosmer: 2-4, 1 SB

Seattle Mariners:

Seth Smith: 1-2, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 HR(1), 1 RBI

Next: KC Royals Day Off Thurday; Writer Took Nap

NEXT GAME:

The KC Royals will send Yordano Ventura (2-0, 2.35 ERA) to the mound against Wade Miley (1-2, 7.04 ERA) for Seattle 9:05 CST at Safeco Field in Seattle on Saturday, April 30.