Manager Ned Yost is not ready to pull the plug just yet on struggling left-hander Jonathan Sanchez.
Sanchez permitted six runs on 10 hits and six walks in 4 1/3 innings in a Saturday loss to the Twins. He also paid little attention to the base runners as the Twins swiped five bases in as many attempts.
"At times, when you're fighting your command, your whole focus and concentration is trying to get the ball over the plate, and there was a couple of times where his focus was so intent that he forgot what was happening behind him," Yost said.
Sanchez also neglected to cover home plate as a Twin scored from second base on the play.
Unfortunately, this kind of outing is not an abnormality for Sanchez. He has not won since his first start of the season, April 8 at the Angels, and has an unattractive 6.80 ERA.
Sanchez has allowed 97 base runners in 46 1/3 innings. He has walked 40, hit five batters and surrendered 52 hits.
Despite, those hideous numbers, Yost said he is not ready to remove Sanchez from the rotation.
"I haven't had my best stuff, but even if I don't have my best stuff, I go out there and fight," Sanchez said. "I'm just in a slump. It's just not working. I'm not throwing anything that's working right now."
Sanchez has been torched for 20 hits, 16 walks and 15 earned runs in his past three starts. But Yost insists he will keep giving him the ball every fifth day.
1B Eric Hosmer extended his hitting streak to seven games by going 3-for-4 Sunday at Minnesota. Hosmer is hitting .407 (11-for-27) in the streak.
2B Irving Falu snapped an 0-for-16 slide with three hits, lifting his average to .321. He also drove in a career-high four runs, which also tied a season best for a Royal, in the 10-8 loss at Minnesota.
DH Billy Butler was the lone Royal selected to the All-Star Game, which will be played July 10 in Kansas City. It is the first time Butler has been selected to the game. He entered the game Sunday leading the Royals with 16 home runs, 48 RBI, a .365 on-base percentage and a .516 slugging percentage.
RHP Jonathan Broxton, who has 20 saves in 23 opportunities, is among the five American League players for the All-Star Game Final Vote. This is the third season in the past four in which Broxton has at least 20 saves. He was a two-time National League All-Star in 2009-10 with the Dodgers. Broxton tops the American League with 19 saves since April 26.
3B Mike Moustakas, who was hitless in his past 14 at-bats, including going 0-for-13 in the first three games at Minnesota to drop his average to .264, was held out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins. IF Yuniesky Betancourt replaced Moustakas at third base.
2B Chris Getz, who went on the disabled list June 18 with a lateral strain in his left lower leg, began a rehab assignment Saturday with Class AAA Omaha. In his first game with the Storm Chasers, Getz collected two hits and drove in a pair of runs.
Former groundskeeper George Toma has been voted into the Royals Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is Aug. 31 at Kauffman Stadium. Since 2004, the Royals have selected six to their Hall of Fame: RHPs Bret Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza and Kevin Appier, radio announcer Denny Matthews, scout Art Stewart and Toma.
14-13, 15-13 Royals' record in June and May. It is the first time the Royals have had back-to-back winning months since 2007, when they went 15-12 in June and 13-12 in July.
"I'm very humbled and very honored, especially at our own ballpark and being able to play in front of the home crowd. My family is going to come out to see me play and do all the activities on the field. I'm just speechless right now." DH Billy Butler on being selected to his first All-Star Game, which will be played in Kansas City.
