Brady Singer has shortest appearance of the year as KC Royals lose series finale in Boston

The Royals’ strength this season has clearly been their starting pitchers, but on the final two days of a weekend series at Fenway Park, the rotation began to falter.

Brady Singer had his shortest outing of the season, allowing four runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings on Sunday as the Royals lost 5-4 to the Red Sox, one day after Seth Lugo’s worst start of 2024.

The Royals, who are battling with the Red Sox for the last wild card spot in the American League, had essentially tied Boston with their win on Friday. But the Red Sox won the last two games of the three-game set and the series.

Despite being two games behind Boston, the Royals enter the All-Star break with a record of 52-45 and only four fewer wins than they had all of last season.

Singer, 5-6, was taken off with the bases loaded and two outs, but left-hander Angel Zerpa managed a pop out to avoid further damage and keep the Royals’ deficit at 4-1.

Five Royals relief pitchers combined to allow just one run in the final 5 1/3 innings on Sunday, keeping the game close. The Royals scored a run in the ninth inning against Kenley Jansen, but the comeback was unsuccessful.

Missed previous games in the series?

Game 1: Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez hit home runs in a 5-1 win in Boston

Game 2: Royals suffer defeat, Seth Lugo fights

Here are other notable moments from Sunday’s game.

Melendez injured

In the fourth inning, with runners on the corners, the Royals had one out and MJ Melendez ran to avoid a double play on a ground ball. Unfortunately for Melendez, he was injured on the play.

The Royals said Melendez sprained his left ankle.

Monster mash

Salvador Perez, who served as designated hitter on Sunday, hit a laser shot over the Green Monster in the sixth inning, reducing the Royals’ deficit to 4-3.

As Crash Davis said about a home run in the movie “Annie’s Men”: The ball came out quickly here.

This also applies to Perez, the captain of the Royals.

In the seventh inning, the Red Sox got a run back against Will Smith. Boston used a leadoff walk, a groundout and an RBI single by Dominic Smith to take a two-run lead.

What’s next: After the All-Star break, the Royals begin a nine-game home series on Friday. Michael Wacha will open the second half against the Chicago White Sox. First pitch at Kauffman Stadium is at 7:10 p.m.