The Royals matched their third longest losing streak in team history on Tuesday night when Cleveland’s Derek Lowe allowed one run over six innings in the Indians’ 4-3 win. The Royals also lost 12 straight in 1997 and 2008. Kansas City lost 13 straight in 2006 and had a team-record 19 consecutive losses in 2005.
A late rally against former Cardinal Chris Perez was not enough. The Royals had one run in and had the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth against closer Chris Perez, who got his seventh save when he got Jeff Francoeur to bounce into a game-ending forceout.
“We’ll break through,” manager Ned Yost said. “I find it hard to believe we’ve lost 12 in a row, the way we are battling to the very end. That’s a good sign with a young team.” The Royals have been outscored 73-44 during the streak, though five of the losses have been by one run.