KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There are positive developments for the Kansas City Royals this season if you want to look hard enough for them.
The Kansas City Royals starters’ earned-run average heading into Thursday was 2.59 — the fourth-best mark in baseball. In addition, KC’s catchers have taken much-needed strides with pitch framing, and following an offseason emphasis, the team’s first-pitch strike percentage is way up from a year ago.
None of it matters much right now, though. Not with KC’s bats remaining this inconsistent, the latest example coming in Thursday afternoon’s 6-3 home loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals have stumbled out of the gate following their first homestand. They have a 1-6 record, which includes a 1-3 mark against Toronto. And, if we’re honest, the offense bears much of the blame.
KC is averaging 2.4 runs in its seven contests. The Royals have been shut out three times.
Any momentum working in other directions, then — whether pitching or catching — has taken a back seat as the Royals wait for their bats to elevate to an even below-average level.
Thursday was going to be difficult regardless, given the opposing starting pitcher. Kevin Gausman was one of AL’s best hurlers a season ago, and he lived up to that reputation with six shutout innings and seven strikeouts.
The Royals, to their credit, put together a rally after Gausman departed. Bobby Witt Jr. dinged his first home run of the season off the foul pole in left in the eighth against Trevor Richards. The Royals tacked on a walk (MJ Melendez), two singles (Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino) and a double (Edward Olivares) after that, suddenly making the score 6-3 with runners on second and third with no outs.
The team’s poor clutch hitting early in the season, however, circled back at an inopportune time. Franmil Reyes grounded out as a pinch-hitter, then Hunter Dozier and Nick Pratto followed with strikeouts to end the threat.
Royals starter Jordan Lyles also provided some reason for long-term optimism, even if it came with short-term negative results. The right-hander — he signed as a free agent with the Royals this offseason — struck out nine and walked none in 5 2/3 innings but still was blistered for five runs as the Blue Jays connected on five extra-base hits.
Royals retirement coming
The Royals announced Thursday that former outfielder Lorenzo Cain would be honored at Kauffman Stadium on May 6 before a home game against the Oakland Athletics.
Cain, who played in KC from 2011-17, will sign an honorary one-day contract with the Royals that day so he can retire with the team.
On deck
The Royals play a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants this weekend. Brad Keller will face Alex Cobb in the Giants’ home opener at 3:35 p.m. Central Time on Friday.
