The Kansas City Royals’ losing streak extends to four game as they are swept by Seattle 7-4 in the finale of their weekend series with the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium.
The Mariners struck first in the 3rd inning. Singles by Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Lopez led off the inning. Betancourt went to third and Lopez took second on a Jaime Burke sacrifice bunt. Both scored on a Jose Vidro single. Ichiro Suzuki, who had walked, then scored on a Jose Guillen base hit to give the Mariners a 3-0 lead.
Adrian Beltre made it 4-0 on his seventh home run of the season, a 4th inning leadoff blast to left field.
Seattle hit pay dirt again in the 6th as two runs scored on four hits before the rains came and the grounds crew covered the field.
Play resumed following a short delay, and the break clearly helped the Royals who scored twice in their half of the 6th. Ryan Shealy’s lead off single was followed by Tony Pena’s double. A Jarrod Washburn wild pitch scored Shealy from third and moved Pena to third, giving his an opportunity to score when David DeJesus grounded into a fielder’s choice.
The Royals got something going again in the 8th. Alex Gordon led off with a double and scored on Ryan Shealy’s base hit, cutting the Seattle lead to three runs. But that was all the runs the Royals could muster. Seattle added an insurance run in the 9th.
Mariners’ starter Washburn (5-4) picked up the win. J.J. Putz pitched one inning in relief to earn his 12th save. Kansas City starter Odalis Perez (2-5) gave up six earned runs on nine hits and was tagged with the loss.
The Royals (19-32) open a series with the Baltimore Orioles Monday night at Kauffman Stadium. Scott Elarton (1-0) pitches for Kansas City against Steve Trachsel (3-3) of the O’s.
Download/Listen: Manager Buddy Bell’s post-game comments (3:30 MP3)
