Angels send the Royals to 10th straight loss with 3-0 victory
Brandon Drury drove in two runs, Patrick Sandoval threw seven innings and the Los Angeles Angels handed Kansas City its 10th straight loss, beating the Royals 3-0 on Friday night.
Kansas City, a big league-worst 18-51, is on its longest losing streak since dropping 11 games in a row from May 2-13, 2021. The Royals were held to four hits or fewer for the 15th time and shut out for the ninth.
Los Angeles has won 10 of 12. The Angels took two of three at home from Seattle before winning three of four at AL West-leading Texas.
"It probably wasn't our best game offensively and we made some mistakes on the bases, but overall I thought Sandy was great," Angels manager Phil Nevin said. "Where we came from the last two series, you could have a letdown game. I thought we answered well."
Sandoval (4-6) didn't retire the Royals in order until he struck out the side in the seventh. He gave four hits, four walks and hit a batter, and had six strikeouts.
"I could do without the four walks," Sandoval said. "I was satisfied to go seven, give our bullpen a rest and give us a chance to win.
"I had to find a way to get outs and get our team back in the dugout."
Sam Bachman retired six straight batters his first professional save.
Royals starter Brady Singer (4-6) allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
"He settled in really well," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said about Singer. "A little unfortunate there in the sixth, kind of broke his rhythm a bit, but overall he threw the ball well. Five and a third, two runs against that lineup is pretty solid."
Shohei Ohtani laced a double down the left-field line in the first and went to third on a wild pitch. After Mike Trout walked, Drury singled to score Ohtani and send Trout to third. The Royals avoided further trouble when Singer struck out Matt Thaiss, and Drury was caught stealing.
Drury extended the lead in the sixth with an RBI double. Trout led off with a single. Drury followed with a line drive down the left-field line. Hunter Renfroe singled, ending Singer's night.
The Angels added a run in the seventh when Jose Cuas hit his first batter and walked Thaiss with the bases loaded.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: 3B Anthony Rendon was held out of the because of soreness in his left wrist. He was hit by a pitch in the first inning Thursday in Texas. Though he stayed in the game, he did not swing. X-Rays were negative and he's listed as day-to-day.
Royals: C Salvador Perez was not in the lineup after being hit by a pitch in the left hand Wednesday. X-Rays were negative and manager Matt Quatraro said Perez is likely to be back soon.
TRANSACTIONS
Angels: INF Michael Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. In a corresponding move, 1B Gio Urshela was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a left pelvis fracture. Urschela had missed the prior four games with back soreness but he fell down awkwardly Thursday at Texas. He was on crutches after the game and X-rays revealed the fracture.
Royals: IF/OF Samad Taylor was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Taylor will make his major league debut when appears for the Royals. He was a travel-ball teammate of Royals 1B/OF Nick Pratto and Angels OF Mickey Moniak in southern California.
UP NEXT
Angels RHP Griffin Canning (5-2, 4.56 ERA) is set to start Saturday against Royals RHP Mike Mayers (1-2, 5.06).