Royals Report: 4 Things About Deflating Loss To Seattle

The Royals failed to gain any momentum from their four game series at home against the Seattle Mariners just before the All-Star break, dropping Sunday’s finale 8-5 at Kauffman Stadium.

The Kansas City Royals fell to 45-43, and remain 7.0 games behind the Indians in the AL Central. The Mariners improved to 45-44 and 8.5 games behind the Rangers in the AL West.

The 2-2 split with the Mariners was a disappointing result from a team desperately in need of a spark. Instead of going into the All-Star break riding a two-game winning streak and a 3-1 series win, the KC Royals now no longer have the best home record in MLB after dropping two games at home. Kansas City’s 29-13 record at Kauffman Stadium is still outstanding, but ranks behind Baltimore’s 33-14 home mark.

Former Kansas City Royals top prospect Mike Montgomery started for the Mariners after spending the season as a reliever. He enjoyed a fine outing in which he held many of his former minor-league teammates to 5 hits, 0 walks, and 1 earned run with 3 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. Montgomery earned the win to level his record at 3-3.

The Royals scored five runs after the sixth inning, but were not able to overcome an 8-0 deficit. Dillon Gee allowed three runs (two earned) while lasting only 3.2 innings before having to be rescued by reliever Brian Flynn. But, the KC Royals vaunted bullpen failed to keep the team close when the Mariners clobbered rookie Brooks Pounders for five runs in the seventh.

Game over.

On to my observations about Sunday’s game:

Next: Dillon Gee