Kansas City's offense, so impressive through much of the first two months, has crashed back to earth.
The Royals scored just two runs during Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees, a defeat that marked the club's fourth consecutive loss. During the losing streak, Kansas City has scored a total of five runs. It had mustered just one run in each of the previous three games.
During the skid skid, the offense has slashed .197/.243/.258 and struck out 32 times compared with seven walks. After having just two at-bats with runners in scoring position Tuesday night, the Royals had just five Wednesday.
The sputtering offense has led to the first four-game losing streak of the season and the first one since the end of August last year. Kansas City has not lost five consecutive games since last May.
The Yankees' sweep was the first of the Royals in New York since 2006.
3 UP
• Finally, a lead. For the first time in the series, the Royals' offense gave its pitching staff a lead. Third baseman Mike Moustakas blasted a solo home run in the top of the first inning, handing Kansas City a 1-0 lead. It was the first advantage for Kansas City since Saturday's rain-shortened game against St. Louis.
The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the second on Brian McCann's homer and took the lead on Alex Rodriguez's three-run dinger in the third.
• Escobar notches multiple hits. Leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar racked up three hits, his first multi-hit game since May 14, when he went 3 for 5 against the Rangers. Escobar had been 3 for 21 (.143) against New York pitching this season before breaking out Wednesday.
Escobar become just the third Royal to register a multi-hit game this series, joining Moustakas (two hits Tuesday) and Jarrod Dyson (two hits Monday).
• Rested bullpen. The Royals should have a full complement of relievers ready to go for this weekend's series against the Chicago Cubs. Kansas City had to use only Ryan Madson and Franklin Morales on Wednesday afternoon. Combined with Thursday's off day, all eight of Kansas City's relievers should be available Friday afternoon.
3 DOWN
• Young finally touched up. Royals starter Chris Young's pitching line finally looked like something not out of a video game. Young came into the game having allowed four runs in 34 2/3 innings across 10 appearances, but gave up four in six innings against the Yankees.
His performance pushed his ERA from 0.78 to 1.55. Young has now made five starts as Kansas City's spot starter but could be shifted back to the bullpen when the Royals have a fully healthy rotation.
• Balls fly out -- again. Young was victimized by two home runs, Brian McCann's second-inning, solo shot and Alex Rodriguez's third-inning, three-run homer. All four runs scored on Young came via homers and continued a series-long trend.
Kansas City pitching gave up eight homers to the Yankees over the three games, seven coming with men on base. Royals pitching hadn't given up as many homers in such a stretch since Sept. 6-8, 2012, when the Rangers and White Sox combined to send eight out.
• Missed opportunity in the fifth. The Royals haven't had many scoring chances in their current slump -- and they let one slip away in the fifth inning. With one out, Paulo Orlando doubled and Escobar singled, advancing to second on a wild pitch.
Kansas City had second and third with one out and Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain coming to the plate. But Moustakas struck out on four pitches and Cain went down on three to finish the inning. The Royals didn't have another baserunner reach second base until the eighth inning.
WHAT'S NEXT
Kansas City has an off day Thursday before opening a three-game set against the Cubs in Chicago. It will be the first time the Royals play in a National League park this season, forcing them to abandon the designated hitter. Regular DH Kendrys Morales appears the most likely Royal to sit this weekend, although the club could employ something drastic like putting Eric Hosmer in right field and Morales at first base.
Edinson Volquez will face off against Chicago right-hander Jake Arrieta. Volquez -- a former Red and Pirate -- has never lost against the Cubs, going 7-0 with a 2.90 ERA in 11 appearances against Chicago. Current Royals players have 26 plate appearances against Arrieta (4-4, 2.95 ERA).
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
