Royals lose 6-0, revert back to .333 winning percentage

My hopes for this game were dashed almost immediately as Whit Merrifield led off the game with a single. He then stole second and made it to third on a flyball before the inning ended. That was the last time a Royals baserunner made it that far. Only one other time did anyone make it to second; Alex Gordon hit a double in the third. Max Scherzer completed his fifth straight straight start of seven innings or more with 10+ strikeouts. He also earned his seventh win in his last seven games.

Glenn Sparkman gave up one run in the first and three in the second. The second inning was the interesting one as it contained a Kurt Suzuki two-run home run and Victor Robles stealing home while Trea Turner was caught stealing second. Yeah, they pulled off the double-steal trick the Royals are always trying and failing to complete.

Jorge López pitched the seventh and eighth; like Sparkman, he started off poorly but finished strong. He allowed a pair of runs in the seventh before striking out a pair in a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Had the Royals scored six or more runs in the ninth Danny Duffy would have appeared in relief because the All-Star Break will preempt his next start.

The Royals are now 30-60, thoroughly dull, and probably not even going to be able to catch the Orioles for the top draft pick next year. Tomorrow afternoon they’ll have a chance to finish the first half with a series in if Jakob Junis can outduel Patrick Corbin. I won’t be holding my breath.