Royals fall to Yankees 5-2

In Brady Singer’s first start since July 17th, the Royals were defeated by the New York Yankees 5-2. The loss gave Kansas City its third consecutive series loss.

After missing a few weeks with an injury, Singer took the bump at Kauffman Stadium with the hopes of rediscovering his form in the back half of the season. However, there wasn’t much progression in the top of the first. New York pounced on Singer’s lack off command and knocked in three runs to take 3-0 lead.

Trailing 3-0, the Royals received a boost from their lead-off man in Whit Merrifield. Merrifield, who opened the bottom of the first with a single, swiped second base for his 33rd stolen base of the year. That stolen base, though, tied a franchise record.

Later in the frame, Salvador Perez drove in Merrifield on an RBI-groundout to cut the deficit to two.

In the top of the fourth, New York caused damage off of Singer, again. DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge singled off the right-hander to drive in two more runs and give the Yankees a 5-1 lead. Singer wasn’t able to make it out of the fourth and allowed five earned runs on 10 hits. In the home half, Kansas City struck back with its second run on a throwing error by rookie Andrew Velazquez.

With Singer out of the game, the Royals’ bullpen shut down New York’s offense. Richard Lovelady, Domingo Tapia, Jake Brentz, Greg Holland, and Ervin Santana all combined to hold the Yankees scoreless over the final five innings.

Unfortunately for Kansas City, the offense couldn’t put together a substantial rally against the bullpen. They got two men on in the ninth, but Carlos Santana rolled into a double play to end it.

The Royals, 49-64, welcome the St. Louis Cardinals for a rematch of the I-70 series at Kauffman Stadium on Friday. Mike Minor squares off with Jack Flaherty. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m.