How May 2013 fell apart for the Royals
When games ended on May 5, 2013, the Royals had a 17-10 record and were in second place in the AL Central, a half-game behind the Tigers. They were even a perfect 3-0 in the month. But by the end of May, the Royals were 22-30, in last place in the Central and 6 1/2 games back. Here are some key reasons why the Royals swooned:
• An 0-8 record in one-run games, including three straight at Oakland.
• A 1-4 record in two-run games.
• An 0-10 record at Kauffman Stadium.
• After averaging 4.48 runs per game through the season’s first 27 games, they averaged 3.23 per game during that span.
• Their run differential went from plus-18 to minus-10.
• They were swept in a three-game home series by the Yankees and later had an eight-game losing streak.
• The Royals lost two of three at Houston, which ended the season with a 51-111 record.
• Eric Hosmer batted .263, Billy Butler hit .256 and Mike Moustakas’ average was an anemic .152.
• Starter Wade Davis had a ghastly 7.76 ERA, and Jeremy Guthrie’s was 5.74.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| May 1 | Tampa Bay | W 9-8 |
| May 4 | Chi. White Sox | W 2-0 |
| May 5 | Chi. White Sox | W 6-5 (10) |
| May 6 | Chi. White Sox | L 2-1 (11) |
| May 7 | at Baltimore | L 4-3 |
| May 8 | at Baltimore | L 5-3 |
| May 9 | at Baltimore | W 6-2 |
| May 10 | N.Y. Yankees | L 11-6 |
| May 11 | N.Y. Yankees | L 3-2 |
| May 12 | N.Y. Yankees | L 4-2 |
| May 13 | at LA Angels | W 11-4 |
| May 14 | at LA Angels | L 6-2 |
| May 15 | at LA Angels | W 9-5 |
| May 17 | at Oakland | L 2-1 |
| May 18 | at Oakland | L 2-1 |
| May 19 | at Oakland | L 4-3 |
| May 20 | at Houston | L 6-5 |
| May 21 | at Houston | W 7-3 |
| May 22 | at Houston | L 3-1 |
| May 23 | LA Angels | L 5-4 |
| May 24 | LA Angels | L 5-2 |
| May 25 | LA Angels | L 7-0 |
| May 26 | LA Angels | L 5-2 |
| May 27 | at St. Louis | L 6-3 |
| May 28 | at St. Louis | L 4-1 |
| May 29 | at St. Louis | L 5-3 |
| May 30 | at St. Louis | W 4-2 |
| May 31 | at Texas | L 7-2 |
This story was originally published March 30, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "How May 2013 fell apart for the Royals."