The Royals fired pitching coach Al Nipper yesterday and replaced him with John Cumberland, who was promoted from their Triple-A team in Omaha. Royals pitchers had a combined 5.29 ERA coming into yesterday’s game with the Expos. The change didn’t have an immediate effect. The Royals blew a 4-1 lead in their 5-4 loss to Montreal. Shawn Sedlacek got the no decision going 5 and 2/3 allowing 2 earned runs.
