The Royals had the game there for the taking on Memorial Day at Kauffman Stadium, with an 8-5 lead in the eighth inning before the bullpen let Kansas City down once again, as the Angels came back to defeat the Royals 10-8.
After Los Angeles scored once in the top of the first, Alex Gordon got it started for Kansas City, leading off the bottom of the first inning with his seventh home run of the season. After Angels starter Ervin Santana walked Melky Cabrera, it was Eric Hosmer's turn as he sent a shot into the right field seats for his fifth. Just like that Kansas City was up 3-1.
Kansas City added three more runs in the second, courtesy of a two RBI double by Eric Hosmer and a Jeff Francoeur sacrifice fly. Hosmer was 2-for-5 on the day with four RBI. After giving up six runs early, Santana was able to stretch himself out to six innings, giving up just the six runs on seven hits.
Royals starter Luke Hochevar ran into trouble in the top half of the third, allowing two Angels runs. Due to his high pitch count, Hochevar lasted just five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits.
The Angels closed the gap to 6-5 in the top of the 7th inning on a Torii Hunter home run off reliever Everett Teaford.
Kansas City came right back in the bottom half and scored two insurance runs as Wilson Betemit tripled to score Billy Butler, and then came around to score on a soft line drive by Chris Getz.
After Teaford retired the first batter in the eighth, Louis Coleman came on and allowed solo home runs to Mark Trumbo and Peter Bourjos. Cabrera singled with one out in the bottom of the eighth, before Hosmer grounded intro a double play to end the inning.
Joakim Soria jogged out from the bullpen in an attempt to pick up the save, but as things have gone recently, Soria blew his fifth save chance of the season. Hunter hit his second home run of the game, this time a two-run home run, and then Alberto Callaspo scored on a fielding error by Wilson Betemit, as Trumbo reached first base.
Kansas City falls to 23-30, while the Angels now sit at 29-27. A full boxscore from Monday can be viewed here.
The Royals and Angels are back at it tomorrow evening with Jeff Francis (1-5 4.52 ERA) facing Joel Pineiro (2-1 3.15).