Failing to come up with the key hit has been the Royals downfall this season. They loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning against Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel, but could not get the tying run across in a 4-3 loss to the Braves. The Royals had the tying run on third with no outs after Mike Moustakas walked and went to third on David Lough’s single. Lough stole second base around a pair of strikeouts and Alex Gordon was intentionally walked. On the first pitch he saw, Alcides Escobar flew out to right field.
Billy Butler had an RBI single in the first and Eric Hosmer hit his fourth home run of the year…a two-run shot in the fifth off Braves starter Kris Medlen to tie the game at 3-3. Atlanta grabbed the lead in the seventh on a home run from Jason Heyward off Tim Collins.
Ervin Santana allowed three runs in six innings while striking out seven for the no-decision.