Weekend starters prove some things for the KC Royals

Fans usually can't find things to make a three-game series between last-place teams too interesting. Such wasn't the case, though, leading up to the three-contest set the KC Royals and Colorado completed Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.

As we wrote in this space Thursday, the games collectively offered up what might prove to be Mike Moustakas' last Kansas City appearance as a player, and chances for Royals' starters Jordan Lyles, Daniel Lynch, and Brady Singer to prove some important things. And although the Royals lost two of three to the Rockies, the weekend really didn't disappoint.

They had to wait until Sunday, but KC Royals fans finally saw The Moose

Followers of Mike Moustakas, of which there must be many among Royals faithful, didn't get to see him play Friday or Saturday. He didn't crack the lineup in either game, both of which his club won, but whether or not treating those fans to at least a glimpse of Moose on the field mattered to him or not, Colorado manager Bud Black started him at first base Sunday.

Those who chose to attend—MLB.com put the number at 13,128, a little more than one-third of The K's capacity—gave Moustakas a nice ovation when he stepped to the plate in the first inning and, although it threatened for a moment the Royals' precarious 2-0 lead, seemed to appreciate his ninth-inning single. It was one of his two hits.

Whether Moose, now only a part-time player who finished the day at .244, plays in Kansas City again remains to be seen.

On to Lyles, Lynch, and Singer...

SATURDAY: A rocky start didn't prevent Daniel Lynch from looking healthy

His second big league game back after suffering a spring training rotator cuff injury gave Saturday starter Lynch the opportunity to show, after pitching decently against Washington last Sunday, that he is indeed healthy. For an inning, though, fans had to wonder, and perhaps worry.

That's because the Rockies pounded Lynch, who held the Nationals to two runs in 5.1 innings last weekend, for five runs in the very first inning. Yes, a Bobby Witt Jr. error contributed, but Lynch bore primary responsibility for the mess after hitting leadoff man Charlie Backmon and giving up run-scoring singles to McMahon and Randal Grichuk, a two-run triple to Elehuris Montero, and an RBI sac fly to Brenton Doyle. Lynch and the Royals finished the frame behind 5-0.

Fortunately, the Lynch of the next four innings bore little resemblance to the Lynch of the first. Before bowing to the bullpen after the fifth, Lynch gave Colorado only three more hits and a walk and struck out six. His taking the loss was no surprise (Colorado defeated KC 6-4), but everything Lynch did after that fateful opening inning tends to prove his rotator cuff is in fine shape.

And finally: Brady Singer...

SUNDAY: Pitcher Brady Singer continued to get better for the KC Royals

His start Sunday afternoon was important for Singer, loser of the consistency he discovered last season and converted into the 10-5, 3.23 ERA campaign via which he earned the Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year Award as the club's best hurler and set himself up to be the staff ace going forward. Singer started the day 3-4 with a ghastly 7.12 ERA but, after yielding only two runs in five innings to Washington last weekend, 1-0, 4.35 in his last four starts.

Sunday's matinee, then, gave Singer the chance to keep his improving work going. And anyone anticipating just that result didn't go home disappointed.

Singer was superb, perhaps the best he's been all season. The Rockies couldn't score even a single off of him. He hurled 5.2 scoreless innings; only when Nolan Jones singled and later reached third in the fourth did Colorado mount any kind of threat against Singer.

He also struck out seven and, on top of that, didn't walk a batter. He gave way to the bullpen, which also didn't allow Colorado a run, after Moustakas singled with two away in the sixth.

So, things continue to look better for Singer, who evened his record at 4-4 and lowered that unsightly ERA to 6.45.