Royals shutout for the first time this year, fall 5-0 to Orioles
The Royals lose their second series against the Orioles this year.
The Royals managed just five hits and were shut out for the first time this year in a 5-0 loss to the Orioles Sunday afternoon.
Seth Lugo hadn’t given up more than two runs in a start this year, but he gave up twice that in his fifth start of the year. He worked around some trouble in the second, thanks to Freddy Fermin’s throw to catch Cedric Mullins stealing. But in the third, he gave up back-to-back home runs to Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg to begin the third. It was the first home run Lugo had allowed in 41 1⁄3 innings, dating back to last September.
Lugo worked around a leadoff triple in the fifth by Westburg to keep the Orioles off the board. But Anthony Santander tripled in the sixth, scoring on a double by Ryan Mountcastle. A Cedric Mullins infield single and a walk to Cowser loaded the bases and ended the day for Lugo after 5 1⁄3 innings. Angel Zerpa walked in a run, but struck out the next two hitters to limit the damage with the Orioles up 4-0.
Meanwhile, lefty Cole Irvin was able to significantly lower the 6.75 ERA he brought into this game, keeping the Royals in check over 6 2⁄3 innings of shutout ball. The Royals threatened in the opening frame when Bobby Witt Jr. doubled and advanced to third on a Vinnie Pasquantino single, but Salvador Perez walked (his first of two walks, giving him five in his last four games!) and MJ Melendez struck out looking to end the inning. The Royals managed just two runners in scoring position the rest of the game. Anthony Veneziano gave up a run in the ninth to make it 5-0.
The Royals fall to 13-9 and lose a series for the second time this year against the Orioles. They will continue their homestand with a four-game set against the Blue Jays beginning tomorrow evening when Brady Singer faces Yusei Kikuchi.