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First pitch at Kauffman Stadium tonight was 107 degrees, matching the record for second hottest temperature at the start of a game. Unfortunately for the Royals the temperature was the only thing that was hot on the evening as the bats were cool in an 8-2 loss to Baltimore.
Things started well in the bottom of the first inning for Kansas City facing closer turned starter Alfredo Simon as Eric Hosmer's double scored Melky Cabrera to give the Royals a quick 1-0 lead.
Bruce Chen was lackluster on the evening as he routinely had trouble getting the third out of an inning. This attributed to him throwing 115 pitches in just 4.2 innings as he allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked four while striking out two.
Louis Coleman was solid in relief allowing just one run over 3.1 innings as he helped Kansas City stay in the ballgame. He showed good command striking out three while not issuing any walks.
Billy Butler's sacrifice in the eighth brought Kansas City within 4-2, however recently re-called Everett Teaford allowed Baltimore to extend the lead in the ninth as he gave up a three-run home run to strikeout guru Mark Reynolds, followed by a solo shot off the bat of Chris Davis. Reynolds had five RBI in the Oriole victory. Teaford would throw 33 pitches in the inning as he allowed four runs on three hits and a walk.
For as much fun as the last roadtrip seemed, Tuesday evening was a sure punch to the stomach for Royals fans. The only true bright spot for Kansas City on the evening was the rookie Hosmer collecting two doubles.
The situation involving Chris Getz continuing to start each day remains an enigma, while Johnny Giavotella had three hits and a walk Tuesday evening for Omaha. But that story has been written ad naseum already.
Chen takes the loss in falling to 5-5, as the Royals record now stands at 46-63. Luke Hochevar is on the hill tomorrow evening as Kansas City will look to get the bad taste out of their mouths from this loss.