The Kansas City Royals came up just short as they fall 3-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale of a three-game set on Sunday.
The Royals threatened in the bottom of the ninth when Alcides Escobar led off the inning with a single against Pirates reliever Jason Grilli. A sacrifice bunt moved Escobar into scoring position and Yunieksi Betancourt walked to put runners at first and second. However, Alex Gordon and Johnny Giavotella followed with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
Gordon and Escobar finished with two hits each for the Royals. Escobar and Eric Hosmer drove in both of Kansas City's runs. Andrew McCutchen accounted for all three of Pittsburgh's runs with a first inning double and a third inning home run.
Bruce Chen takes the loss after allowing three runs and four hits in five innings of work. A.J. Burnett earns the win allowing two runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. Grilli gets his first save of the season after working out of the jam in the ninth.
For more on the Royals check out Royals Review. Pirates news and info can be found at Bucs Dugout, and all your MLB news and info is available at Baseball Nation.