KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An early season losing streak just keeps getting worse for the Kansas City Royals.
The Toronto Blue Jays (8-6, 4-1 away) beat the Royals 9-5 at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday night, and the Royals (3-11, 0-8 home) losing streak now sits at nine games.
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer hit a two-run home run to give Kansas City a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning, but it was short-lived. Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus went yard off Royals reliever Everett Teaford (0-1, 3.86 ERA) in the sixth to put Toronto back up 6-5.
Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and center fielder Colby Rasmus both hit HR’s off Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera (5.40 ERA) in the seventh to give the Blue Jays a 9-5 lead.
Royals starter Luis Mendoza (0-2, 6.92 ERA) lasted three innings and gave up four runs on 10 hits. Blue Jays rookie starter Drew Hutchinson (1-0, 8.44 ERA) got the win.
The Royals’ nine game losing streak is the club’s longest since a 10 game losing streak in July of 2009. Their eight consecutive home losses ties a club record.
Royals lefty Danny Duffy (1-1, 2.13 ERA) gets the start against Blue Jays lefty Ricky Romero (2-0, 3.72 ERA) on Sunday for game three at the K.
