The Royals’ difficult start to July continues with a series-deciding defeat in Colorado

A hot start from Major League Baseball’s co-leader in pitching wins and a shutout performance from the bullpen weren’t enough to get the Royals done on Saturday. Kansas City’s July record fell to 1-4 when the Colorado Rockies delivered a great pitching performance to secure the series win.

Right-hander Seth Lugo was tied with Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves with 11 wins each, but suffered his third loss of the season, thanks in large part to a home run by 2023 Gold Glove winner Brenton Doyle in the second inning. The two-run hit alone would have been enough to beat the Royals, who won 3-1. Lugo pitched six innings and allowed three runs, the third coming in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After the third inning, Lugo allowed the leadoff hitter to get on base in two consecutive innings. The second such occurrence was a bunt single by Sam Hilliard. Hilliard, who returned to the Rockies (32-57) after playing in Atlanta in 2023, was at bat number nine. Third baseman Ryan McMahon brought him home.

The Royals’ offense struggled all night, with the exception of right fielder Hunter Renfroe: Renfroe had three hits. His contributions didn’t affect the scoreboard, and despite an eight-hit night, Kansas City (48-43) was only able to score a single run. Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber was a one-game winner Saturday as he entered his 17th start of the season; he left the season with two wins after throwing seven one-run innings.

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino hit his 11th home run of 2024 with two outs in the sixth inning. However, he was unable to do so because no one was on base, and thus could not tie the game or reduce the deficit to one run. As a team, the Royals left seven on base and were 0-4 with runners in scoring position.

The bullpen did its best to give Kansas City a chance. Sam Long, who came in to replace Lugo, overcame a double by Colorado leadoff man Charlie Blackmon in the seventh inning and left him standing. In the eighth inning, Chris Stratton, the 2023 World Series champion, allowed two consecutive singles to open the inning but provoked a double play and then a lineout by Jake Cave that ended the inning.

Unfortunately for the Royals, the Rockies’ bullpen was similarly difficult to crack, although the pressure on that unit is significantly lessened when the starter goes seven innings. Tyler Kinley and Victor Vodnik combined to allow just two hits. Kinley faced the minimum three batters in his inning. Vodnik allowed the tying run on first base to end a two-hour, 15-minute game. The home team’s 1-for-7 mark with runners in scoring position did not prove costly.

As for the Royals, the team desperately needs a win. Matt Quatraro’s team has now lost a series to the last-place team in the NL West, albeit on the road. Sunday is an afternoon game on a big day for the Rockies. Right-handed pitcher Tanner Gordon has been called up to make his MLB debut. He will face Brady Singer at 2:10 p.m. CT.