Royals Report: 5 Things About Bomb-Fest In Chicago

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Jun 7, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (6) reacts to an inside pitch during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

The KC Royals lost for the eighth straight time, this time falling to the Chicago White Sox 7-5 at U.S. Cellular Field Friday night.

3. 128. 5. 7. Final

The Kansas City Royals are now .500 at 30-30, and four games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. The White Sox move into second place at 31-30,and 3.5 games behind the Indians in the Central.

The KC Royals scored more than one run for the first time in six games, but the “deluge” did little good as the White Sox rocked Ian Kennedy for seven runs and four home runs. Though the Kansas City Royals answered with three home runs of their own, all three were solo shots compared to two, two-run home runs for the White Sox.

I must confess, I’m getting as frustrated as every other Kansas City Royals fan must be by now. Watching the KC Royals hasn’t been much fun recently.

I guess the silver lining is that the Royals scored five runs, racked up 12 hits, and slammed four extra-base hits, but they’re still failing to get the big hit. And, none of it is much use when the rotation keeps serving up batting practice for the opposing team.

To be honest, I wanted nothing more than to start breaking stuff. Maybe, the day off brought the KC Royals out of their hitting funk and they’ll start winning games when their starters don’t wet the bed. But, my patience is wearing thin.

However, think of this Kansas City Royals fans: If you’re down from watching these last eight games, what do you think LIVING it has been like for the players? Has to be infinitely worse.

On to my observations about Friday’s game:

Next: Alcides Escobar

May 15, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) connects for a single in the thirteenth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

5) What Good Is Moving Alcides Escobar To No. 2?

One benefit of the losing streak is that Ned Yost broke down and decided to remove Alcides Escobar from the leadoff position. Instead, Escobar batted from the two-hole with Whit Merrifield taking over at leadoff.

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Merrifield hitting no. 1 makes almost too much sense. He has speed (16 stolen bases in Omaha without a caught stealing), he’s getting on base (.338 OBP) and he’s reached base safely for 18 straight games. So, Yost made a good decision to insert the 27-year-old rookie at the top of the KC Royals order.

But Yost then sucks most of the benefit from this good decision by hitting Escobar at no. 2. Oh great, let’s have our shortstop with a .273 OBP take the second most at bats on the team instead of the most. That’s like giving up Russian Roulette in favor of bashing yourself in the head with a hammer.

I suppose it’s an improvement. At least Yost is now open to shaking things up. Maybe we’ll see Escobar in the no. 9 position since hitting him no. 2 didn’t bust the losing streak.

I’m not holding my breath. I’m sure Yost will come up with some excuse why thumbing his nose at data analysis and game theory makes sense.

Perhaps the move was due to Chicago starter Chris Sale being a lefty. Of course that doesn’t explain why Yost moved left-handed-hitting Eric Hosmer to no. 3 in place of Lorenzo Cain, who moved to clean-up on Friday.

I know, maybe Yost should REALLY make the sabermetrics guys squirm by batting Kendrys Morales at leadoff. Just because he can. I can just see Yost talking about managing with his gut as he starts off games with a .592 OPS Morales followed by an even worse .566 OPS Escobar.

Next: Ian Kennedy

May 23, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Ian Kennedy Gets Bombed Again

Ian Kennedy gave up five runs in 6.0 innings last Saturday in Cleveland, and followed up that outing by allowing seven runs to Chicago in 5.2 innings on Friday. He’s served up six gopher balls in his last 11.2 innings pitched, including four to the White Sox who came into Friday’s game with the second fewest home runs in the American League (behind, of course, the KC Royals).

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The fact is, Kennedy has been pretty bad away from the deep expanse of Kauffman Stadium this season. Kennedy has held opponents to a 1.46 ERA in four home starts, while opponents have battered him on the road for a 4.65 ERA in seven road starts.

It’s pretty clear that Ned Yost needs to do everything he can to keep Kennedy from pitching in a small park if he can help it. And, Kennedy needs to be on a short leash. Pulling Kennedy before hitters can see him a third time is probably a pretty good idea if the KC Royals are playing in a bandbox in a tight game.

Of course, that would make too much sabermetric sense, so we can’t have that.

Hey, look on the bright side. At least Joakim Soria, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis are REALLY rested.

Next: Whit Merrifield

May 27, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Whit Merrifield (15) drives in 2 runs with a single against the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Whit Merrifield Gets On Base In 18 Straight

Rookie Whit Merrifield continues to produce for the Kansas City Royals, one of the few that has defied the team’s hitting cold streak. He extended his club record to 18 straight starts reaching safely to begin his KC Royals career.

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That’s just not good.

Cuthbert only has 50 at bats this season, and 153 in his major-league career. He’s still adjusting to a full-time role and could be suffering from small sample size. And, yes, both KC Royals manager Ned Yost and GM Dayton Moore are well-known for their patience.

Patience is great when a team isn’t playing in meaningful games, or the rest of the lineup is hitting well enough to carry a weak bat. But the 2016 Kansas City Royals are mired in a horrific offensive slump that is killing the team. If Cuthbert doesn’t turn things around soon, the KC Royals will either insert Christian Colon into the lineup at third base, or seek help on the trade market.

Whit Merrifield can also fill-in at third, but that would also mean playing Omar Infante or Colon at second base.

Next: Eric Hosmer

May 30, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) hits a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Eric Hosmer Continues To Rake

Eric Hosmer blossoming into a true star is the best development of the 2016 season. Yes, the Whit Merrifield call-up has been the best feel-good story of the year. But, Hosmer’s emergence as a legitimate power bat to go with his stellar defense, has done more to help the club.

The KC Royals lost for the eighth straight time, this time falling to the Chicago White Sox 7-5 at U.S. Cellular Field Friday night.

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