Royals Lose To Jays, First Half Over

The Royals fell behind early and never recovered against Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay as Toronto bullied Kansas City 11-3, Sunday.

The Jays offense supported Halladay (12-2) with four runs in the first two innings. Halladay, the Majors first 12-game winner, made sure the lead didn’t go unappreciated. He mystified the Royals going seven innings allowing one run and four hits while striking out six.

Troy Glaus hit the first of three Toronto home runs in the game. It was his three-run shot that put the Blue Jays up 3-0 in the first inning. Eric Hinske and Bengie Molina both homered in the sixth inning that saw Toronto put up six runs.

Starter Jimmy Gobble gave up five runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings to get the loss. Kansas City’s bullpen was even worse. Four pitchers came out of the pen to give up six runs in 5.2 innings. The first of the bunch, Todd Wellemeyer, surrendered four runs on four hits in 1.2 innings. Joe Nelson relieved Wellemeyer in the sixth and gave up two runs in just one inning of work.

On the bright side, the Royals go into this week’s all star break on the heels of a 4-3 homestand. Every Royals player will have the break off except for starter Mark Redman, who is the team’s lone representative at the All Star Game. Kansas City resume play Thursday against the American League Central leading Tigers.