The fairy tale ended abruptly for Joe Blanton.
Blanton had dazzled in his first two starts as a Royal but crashed back to reality Monday night during Kansas City's 6-1 loss to Houston. The right-hander finished just 2 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks. Entering Monday's game, Blanton had walked three batters in 26 innings.
Blanton had filled in admirably while Kansas City's rotation was ravaged by injuries, picking up a win in each of his two starts and holding opponents to a .179 average. He owned a 1.64 ERA in those starts. But the Astros capitalized on a wild Blanton to push across five runs against him.
Three consecutive walks and a sacrifice fly in the second inning led to two runs. A homer, three singles and a walk in the third inning paved the way for three more runs. It was Blanton's shortest start since Sept. 28, 2011.
Despite the loss, Kansas City maintained a 5 1/2-game lead over Minnesota in the American League Central. At 44-29, the Royals have the best record in the AL.
3 UP
• Perez's home-run ball. Salvador Perez blasted a solo home run in the seventh inning, accounting for Kansas City's lone run Monday night. Perez launched Lance McCullers' 2-0 fastball deep into left field that trimmed the Astros' lead to five runs.
Perez also homered Sunday afternoon in Oakland. It was the third time this season Perez homered in back-to-back games. He now has 13 homers on the season.
• Finnegan eats innings. Left-hander Brandon Finnegan saved the Royals' bullpen by throwing 3 1/3 innings in relief of Blanton. Finnegan gave up just one run (on Chris Carter's solo home run) while walking two and striking out two.
The 3 1/3 innings were a season high for Finnegan, who threw 49 pitches. Luke Hochevar and Jason Frasor combined for the final two innings.
• Dyson reaches three times. Center fielder Jarrod Dyson, who led off with shortstop Alcides Escobar out, made the most of his spot at the top, reaching base three times. He doubled in the first inning and walked in both the sixth and eighth. It was the third time this season Dyson reached base three times.
3 DOWN
• Getting men on. The Royals struggled to solve McCullers, who threw seven innings of one-run ball. In his last five innings of work, only three Royals reached base. Perez (on his homer) was the only one to advance past first base.
It was just the fifth time this season Kansas City registered four or fewer hits.
• Hitting with men on. When the Royals did get men on base, they could not do anything with them. In the first two innings, they had six plate appearances with runners in scoring position against McCullers. They went 0 for 5 with Kendrys Morales drawing a walk. Dyson's leadoff double in the first was wasted, while Alex Gordon's leadoff single in the second was squandered.
Overall, the Royals went 1 for 15 with men on base.
• Escobar and Hosmer. Neither Escobar nor first baseman Eric Hosmer played Monday night, each nursing finger injuries. Escobar was penciled into the starting lineup in his customary spot but was scratched before the game. He is hindered by a split nail bed on his right index finger.
Hosmer is dealing with a left ring finger sprain suffered while stealing a base Saturday in Oakland. He is not expected to play in any of the three games in Houston.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
