KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With one out in the seventh inning of Kansas City's 4-0 loss to Texas on Friday night, Eric Hosmer jogged to second base. His potential run was inconsequential with the Royals trailing by four runs and his trot to second was merely ceremonial.
But when Hosmer sauntered to second, he became the first Royal to go as far Friday night. Before him, only two batters had even reached base, both stranded at first as the Kansas City offense proved toothless once again.
The Royals were shut out for the third time this season as the club's swoon at the plate dipped into its fifth straight series. Kansas City has now scored two or fewer runs in eight of its past 10 games. It has lost all eight.
When asked what he was seeing at the plate Friday, manager Ned Yost succinctly responded: "Not much. Not much. We just don't really have much going on offensively."
Chi Chi Gonzalez, Texas's rookie right-hander making his second career start, befuddled the Royals as he threw a complete game. Kansas City scratched just three hits off Gonzalez.
"We're definitely in a rut right now," Hosmer said, "but you can't take anything away from his performance."
Hope winked at the Royals during Friday's seventh inning, though, beginning with Hosmer's surprising bunt single. He advanced to second base after Kendrys Morales drew a five-pitch walk. Kansas City was in business, runners on first and second with one out.
Alex Gordon stepped to the plate with a chance to defibrillate the offense and trim a four-run lead. As he walked to the plate, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus mimicked turning a double play. One pitch later, he got his shot.
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Gordon smoked a groundball to second baseman Hanser Alberto, who bobbled the ball and flipped to Andrus. Andrus completed the inning-ending twin killing and the Royals' offense fell silent again. Kansas City has now scored just 21 total runs in its past 10 games.
After the game, frustration snuck into the Royals' clubhouse. The team had been able to stave off the feeling, allowing it to simmer on the side instead of boiling over.
Lorenzo Cain answered five questions from reporters in less than 70 words while still in his game uniform. Yost admitted recognizing the irritation from his players, a sentiment he'd seen from past teams but not this year's edition.
"It's very frustrating," Cain said. "As a team, I know what we can do. We're just not getting it done right now. Bounce back, get ready to go tomorrow."
Hosmer suggested more action on the basepaths, stolen bases and hit-and-runs possibly sparking an offense. The Royals led the majors last season in stolen bases, but this year reside below the league average in swipes.
"I think just showing up and playing isn't working right now," Hosmer said.
Yost didn't see the value in shuffling his lineup, noting that the entire team is struggling and saying that he didn't "see any value in doing that." He mentioned, though, that Alex Rios would likely get Saturday off and Cain would sit Sunday as normal maintenance days.
Edinson Volquez gave up four runs on six hits across 5 1/3 innings, branded with his fourth loss of the season. Because of scheduled off days and unexpected rainouts, he was pitching on six days' rest, which disrupted his routine and messed with his timing.
Volquez said his stuff was crisp, but his location erratic. He walked three and struck out six.
"I was off the whole night," Volquez said.
Yost said the long layoff might have shaken Volquez and bothered Chris Young a night earlier, but that he didn't know which rotation member to skip. Instead, Yost rolled through with the same order and came out with dull pitchers.
The bats have stayed cool as well. But Yost hadn't seen annoyance or exasperation from his club until Friday. They are different than they were a few years ago.
"Before, they were younger, they hadn't experienced success," Yost said. "They have now, and they know that they're going to get out of it."
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
