Even after roster move, KC Royals can’t break losing streak. When will it end?
The Kansas City Royals can’t afford mistakes right now.
On Saturday, Royals starter Seth Lugo threw a pitch he would like to have back against Detroit Tigers standout Spencer Torkelson.
Torkelson turned that pitch into a three-run homer in the fifth inning. The Tigers first baseman drilled an 84.4 mph splitter that was left over the plate. The baseball traveled 375 feet and propelled the Tigers to a 3-1 victory.
“A little bit more run than I’d like,” Lugo said. “I wanted that one to go more down. You know, I thought it was a decent pitch selection but bad execution.”
Lugo allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. It was another quality start, but there was little run support.
Normally, a three-run deficit is manageable. However, the Royals’ offense has struggled so mightily in April that any disadvantage seems insurmountable.
“They’re doing their job, and we got to do our job,” Witt said of the slim run support. “That’s what it comes down to.”
The Royals registered four hits (six total) against Tigers starter Casey Mize. KC put the ball in play but had nothing to show for it. Catcher Freddy Fermin provided the lone run with a solo homer in the seventh inning.
Mize cruised in his start. He allowed one earned run in seven innings and registered three strikeouts.
“Similar to Lugo,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Mize. “Wasn’t a lot of strikeouts. It was weak contact. He threw a ton of first-pitch strikes. He got ahead and put us on our heels.”
The Tigers (13-8) clinched a series victory. Meanwhile, KC dropped its sixth consecutive game and fell to 1-8 heading into the finale of a 10-game road trip.
The Royals have scored four or fewer runs in 20 of 22 games. The club hasn’t eclipsed the mark since April 4 against the Baltimore Orioles and has just 32 total runs in that span.
KC is averaging 2.86 runs per game this season.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Royals drop series opener in 6-1 loss to Tigers
Game 2: Lucas Erceg exits early as Royals lose 5th consecutive game
Here are more notables aspects of Saturday’s game:
Royals let scoring chance slip away
In the eighth inning, Royals third baseman Jonathan India hit a leadoff double against Tigers reliever Brenan Hanifee.
It was another scoring opportunity for the Royals. And, it seemed like a great chance to cut into the late deficit with the middle of the order coming up.
However, the Royals couldn’t drive in the run. India was left stranded at second base as Bobby Witt Jr. flew out and Vinnie Pasquantino lined out to second.
“It’s just one of things where you have got to build,” Witt said. “You win and you learn and got to keep moving forward. We just don’t want to lose sight of it. Yeah, we can say it’s early all the time. It is early, but at the same time, we know what we are capable of doing. And so, we are just kind of one click away.”
There was a chance for India to advance on an errant throw in the inning. However, he was chased back to the second base bag.
“He was most concerned with getting back to the bag which is the primary responsibility there,” Quatraro said.
Royals captain Salvador Perez flew out to end the inning as the Royals were turned away once again.
“All we got to do is learn from it,” Witt said. “That’s all you can do right now and get ready for tomorrow.”
Royals made roster move with MJ Melendez
The Kansas City Royals sent outfielder MJ Melendez down to Triple-A Omaha before Saturday’s game. The club activated outfielder Mark Canha from the injured list in a corresponding move.
“It was something that we had been discussing for the last week or so, knowing Mark was going to be back,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “You know, unfortunately, somebody is going to be left out. In this case, it was MJ.”
What’s next: The Royals conclude their four-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Royals right-hander Michael Wacha draws the start against 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
This story was originally published April 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM.
