Royals Report: KC Snaps Five-Game Losing Streak

The Royals snapped their five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Mariners in Seattle Sunday afternoon.

The offense kept chipping way, scoring single runs second, third, fifth, and eighth innings, capped by a solo home run from first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Right fielder Jarrod Dyson made the play of the game in the sixth, when he helped the Kansas City Royals escape a bases-loaded with no outs jam with an outfield assist at the plate to end the inning.

The Mariners loaded the bases to open the inning against starter Ian Kennedy. Danny Duffy came in to strike out the next two batters, but gave up an RBI single to Seattle catcher Chris Ianneta. Dyson’s strong peg not only prevented the Mariners from drawing within one run and denied them a chance to continue the inning.

Ian Kennedy logged five strong innings, allowing only one run, but needed to get bailed out in the sixth. Kennedy earned his third win of the season (3-1). Wade Davis notched his seventh save in the ninth.

Not only did the KC Royals bust a five-game losing streak, they also ended a seven-game road losing string.

FANTASY NOTE:

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Ian Kennedy has been an outstanding acquisition for the Kansas City Royals last winter. Despite his strong start to the 2016 season (3-1, 2.61 ERA), Kennedy might not help much in a league which values quality starts over wins. With the KC Royals strong bullpen, and his recent struggles the third time through the order, you can expect manager Ned Yost to keep using an early hook with Kennedy.

Center fielder Lorenzo Cain has stroked three hits in eight at bats since getting a two-game break. Cain could be emerging from a long slump to begin the 2016 season. If you’ve got him on your roster, hold off on benching him now that he appears to be heating up.

KEY PITCHING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Ian Kennedy: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, (W, 3-1)

Seattle Mariners:

Taijuan Walker: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (L, 2-2)

KEY HITTING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Alcides Escobar: 3-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Eric Hosmer: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR (4), 1 RBI

Seattle Mariners:

Seth Smith: 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB,

Next: KC Royals: Is Running Game Cure For Sputtering Offense?

NEXT GAME:

The KC Royals will send Edinson Volquez (3-1, 3.34 ERA) to the mound against Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 1.42 ERA) for the Washinton Nationals 7:15 CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Monday, May 2.