The Royals losing streak bulged to double digits on Sunday in an 11-0 loss to the A’s at Kauffman Stadium. Starting pitcher Runelvys Hernandez was battered around in one complete inning of work, as the Royals lost their tenth straight game.
Hernandez (8-10) surrendered an RBI single to Bobby Crosby in the first inning and later served up a three-run homer to Jay Payton to give Oakland a 4-0 lead. In the second inning Adam Mulhuse belted a two run homer and Mark Kotsay doubled in Mark Ellis and Kotsay doubled in Ellis to give the A’s a 7-0 advantage with no outs in the inning.
Hernandez was charged with seven runs off six hits and two walks to get the loss.
Shawn Camp entered the game pitched well over three innings, allowing just one run off three hits, but the damage was done.
Meanwhile, former Cardinals pitcher Danny Haren won his ninth straight decision in a seven-inning performance. He allowed four hits, two walks, no runs and struck out six to earn his 10th win over the season. His last loss was on May 26. Only two other pitchers—Mark Buehrle and Kenny Rogers—have won nine in a row in the American League this season. Haren was traded from St. Louis to Oakland in the same deal that sent Mark Mulder to the Cardinals.
The Royals 10-game losing streak is third-longest in club history. In 1997 the Royals set the team mark by dropping 12 straight.