Royals Report: Bullpen Collapse Busts Winning Streak

Jun 16, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) follows through on a swing for a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals five-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night, losing to the Detroit Tigers 10-4 at Kauffman Stadium. The KC Royals blew a 4-3 sixth inning lead when the Tigers beat up the KC bullpen for seven runs, including three home runs.

The Kansas City Royals fell to 35-31, and now sit 1/2 game behind the idle Cleveland Indians in second place in the AL Central. The Tigers move to 34-32, and now trail the KC Royals by one game, and the Indians by 1.5 games.

In a rare lapse, the Tigers blasted the “best bullpen in baseball” for seven runs after the sixth inning. Thursday night was the third time the Kansas City Royals lost a game when they held a lead after the sixth inning. While the bullpen’s ERA is still outstanding, the pen has been a bit more vulnerable to giving up late leads over the last month of play.

The KC Royals need to get that tightened up before they can take control of the AL Central.

On to my four observations about Friday’s game:

Next: Danny Duffy

The Royals five-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night, losing to the Detroit Tigers 10-4 at Kauffman Stadium. The KC Royals blew a 4-3 sixth inning lead when the Tigers beat up the KC bullpen for seven runs, including three home runs.

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