KANSAS CITY -- Royals second baseman Jonathan India exited Friday’s game against the A’s in the seventh inning after subluxing his left shoulder diving for a ground ball the inning prior, but India says he should be “OK” moving forward outside of some soreness.
As part of the A’s three-run sixth inning in the Royals’ eventual 6-4 loss at Kauffman Stadium, Max Muncy lined a single up the middle off reliever Steven Cruz, and India dove for it.
The ball rolled into center field, with two runs scoring, but India stayed on the ground rolling in pain. He got up holding his left shoulder and grimacing. Head athletic trainer Kyle Turner made a lengthy visit to evaluate India and popped his shoulder back into place -- easier to do with a subluxation rather than a dislocation.
But India exited the following inning with soreness.
“I’ve had this plenty of times in the past,” India said. “Dealt with it before. Hasn’t happened in years. It was an unfortunate subluxation in my shoulder. Took a little bit to go back in, but I’ll be OK.”
That was the good news in what was another frustrating loss for the Royals (34-36), who have lost four consecutive games and six of their past seven.
Friday marked the first road win for the A’s since May 13. The Royals have lost 20 of their last 30 since May 10.
The Royals jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Salvador Perez’s double in the first inning, but starter Michael Wacha lost that lead when the A’s tagged him for five runs in 5 1/3 innings, including two home runs.
“Obviously, we’re going through a little bit of a rough patch,” Wacha said. “Every team goes through that. It’s important for us to be able to flush these types of games and get prepared to show up the next day and be ready to play and compete like we know how to. Wanted more than anything to get back in that win column today. Felt like I let the team down.”
That run the Royals scored in the first was their only run against A’s starter Luis Severino in 7 2/3 innings.
Bat slams and frustration on the faces of hitters heading back into the dugout were apparent on Friday night.
“We’re giving easy outs when we're going to the plate,” third baseman Maikel Garcia said when asked about the offensive challenges on Friday. “We’re not competing at the home plate, [we’re] getting out in one pitch or two pitches. We need men on base. We have to do a better job.”
The Royals put the ball in play on the first pitch of their at-bat seven times Friday night, and Severino threw fewer than 15 pitches in five frames (including the eighth inning, when he was pulled with two outs). Down five runs in the seventh, the Royals saw just seven pitches from the right-hander. Entering today, the Royals have seen an average of 3.77 pitches per plate appearance, fifth lowest in the Majors.
“You have to help your pitchers,” Garcia said. “Take pitches and try to get on base because we’re down in the score, so we need men on base. The guys behind us, bring [those] guys to the plate. And just fighting. Don’t be scared to be at the plate with one strike.”
The Royals showed life in the ninth with three runs against A’s fireball closer Mason Miller. Perez and Jac Caglianone both walked and scored on Nick Loftin’s triple. John Rave recorded his first career RBI with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
Kansas City has shown life in the ninth before, but too often, it’s too late to take advantage of it with the score out of hand.
“I asked Salvy why we’re better with bullpen guys,” Garcia said. “When we see the bullpen, we’re better at the plate. I don’t know why we’re not good with the starter. But you have to make adjustments and try to fight.”
Garcia said Perez didn’t have an answer to that question, but the Royals will have to make adjustments or changes soon.
“I think we have to compete at the first pitch of the game like how we compete with the bullpen guys,” Garcia said.
Through 70 games, the Royals have scored 235 runs for an average of 3.36 runs per game this season.
“We’re frustrated for sure,” India said. “... Maybe some guys are pressing. I know how good this team is and I fully believe in everyone. We’re going to turn it around. That’s the team we are.”