After five straight winning starts, make it two straight losses for Kansas City pitcher Brian Bannister.  He would not make it past the fourth inning as the Royals open a series against the Atlanta Braves with a 6-4 loss.

Bannister was trying to forget his last trip to the mound where he was beat on by Cincinnati.  Last Saturday, he gave up 11 runs in just three innings against the Reds.  While last night was not as bad, Bannister still struggled.

He would only last four innings, giving up five runs on seven hits.  He also had a wild pitch that would allow a run to score.  His ERA is now almost six for the season.

Braves starter Derek Lowe kept the Royals bats fairly quiet all night.  He would give up single runs to Kansas City in the third and fourth.  The run in the third would come from a Jason Kendall single.  In the fourth, Billy Butler would hit his seventh home run of the season.

Kansas City would get single runs in the seventh and the eighth to pull within two.  But Atlanta closer Billy Wagner would come on in the ninth to shut the door and pick up the save.

Game two will be tonight as last year’s Cy Young winner Zack Greinke will try and get his third win of the season.  The Braves will send Kris Medlen to the mound. 

First pitch is 6:10.