CLEVELAND — The Kansas City Royals once again found themselves trying to dig out of a whole by the time they reached the middle innings. This time, their normally-steady left-hander Daniel Lynch had been the one to give up the runs early and force the club to play from behind.
The Royals trailed by three after the first inning, pulled within a run, but were immediately put on their heels after Lynch gave up a second three-run inning in a 8-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in front of an announced 10,519 in the second game of a three-game set at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.
Whit Merrifield (1 for 4, double, RBI), Andrew Benintendi (1 for 4, RBI) and Kyle Isbel (1 for 3, RBI) all drove in runs for the Royals (16-32).
Hunter Dozier (1 for 2, walk, hit by pitch) had a double and two runs scored, while Nicky Lopez (1 for 3, walk) also doubled and scored.
Lynch (2-4) allowed six runs on nine hits in four innings. He also hit a batter and walked three.
