Royals Report: Toothless KC Hitters Flail Way To 2-0 Loss

The Royals bats immediately went back into hibernation after breaking their a 27-inning scoreless streak on Sunday, getting shut out in a 2-0 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday.

The Kansas City Royals offense is running so bad that they’ve been shut out three out of their last four games, and have scored a mere four runs in their last 44 innings. The KC Royals fell to 13-12 on the season.

That’s not good.

What’s worrisome is that the Kansas City Royals have been missing hittable pitches. Many times during this streak opposing pitchers have left balls out over the plate only for KC Royals hitters to just miss.

On Monday, the Kansas City Royals managed a mere five hits with only one extra base hit. In their best opportunity to score, Lorenzo Cain got thrown out trying to steal third with runners on first and second with two outs. Alcides Escobar led off the eighth inning with a double, but the next three hitters struck out.

Meanwhile, starter Edinson Volquez gave up two runs in the first inning but shut down the Nationals over the next 7.2 innings. He took the loss despite another strong performance.

On a more positive note, lefty reliever Danny Duffy did an outstanding job escaping a first and third situation with no outs in the ninth to keep the score at 2-0. Yes, Duffy put himself into the jam, but he faced a series of right handed hitters to close out the frame.

FANTASY NOTE:

More from KC Royals News

• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 2 update
• Winter Meetings: Any blockbusters for the KC Royals?

Edinson Volquez is pitching like an ace for the Kansas City Royals. Not only does he sport a nifty 3.13 ERA, he’s missing bats—including striking out seven on Monday. He’s combined his ability to pitch down in the zone that he’s shown over the last two season, with an improved ability to make hitters swing and miss. He should be a no-brainer start in almost any league.

Eric Hosmer continues to hit well, stroking one single along with taking two walks on Monday night. The rest of the team isn’t hitting, but Hosmer’s been an oasis of consistency in a lineup that sorely needs it.

KEY PITCHING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Edinson Volquez: 7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, (L, 3-2)

Washingtion Nationals:

Gio Gonzalez: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (W, 2-1)

Jonathan Papelbon: 1.0, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, SV (9)

KEY HITTING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Eric Hosmer: 1-2, 2 BB

Washingtion Nationals:

Daniel Murphy: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Ryan Zimmerman: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI

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

NEXT GAME:

The KC Royals will send Chris Young (1-4, 6.12 ERA) to the mound against Tanner Roark (2-2, 2.03 ERA) for the Washinton Nationals 7:15 CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Monday, May 2.