The Royals had a chance to make June a very positive month. A win over the Reds Thursday would’ve given them a chance for a winning month for the first time since 2003, would’ve given them four straight series wins, and removed them from being the worst team in the Majors.
The Royals can start planning for July because none of those things happened; Kansas City fell to the Reds 6-5 Thursday, ending all chances of accomplishing those feats this month.
The Royals had every opportunity to win the game. They fell behind 5-2 after four innings but tied the game at five with three runs in the eighth. Mark Grudzielanek drove in a run with a single right after David DeJesus led off with a double to center field. Emil Brown’s single chased reliever David Weathers from the game. New pitcher Todd Coffey immediately gave up a single to pinch-hitter Reggie Sanders. The rally continued on back-to-back RBIs by Tony Graffanino and Paul Bako that tied the game.
Adam Dunn made sure the game didn’t stay tied for very long, lining a 0-2 slider past right fielder Reggie Sanders for an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth.
Coffey pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the game and give the Reds a 2-1 series win.
With the Cardinals having the night off, Cincinnati was able to pick up a half game, and now trails St. Louis in the NL Central by just one game.
