Pitchers' errors sink Angels in loss to Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Raul Mondesi's first two big league hits led to four runs thanks to a pair of throwing errors, and the Kansas City Royals topped the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 Wednesday night.
The Royals scored four runs in the seventh inning, Mondesi's bunt single starting the key play. Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker committed a throwing error on the bunt, scoring Alex Gordon and Paulo Orlando, who each had three hits.
Jarrod Dyson tripled home Mondesi and scored on an Alcides Escobar sacrifice fly.
In the eighth, Mondesi's infield single knocked in Gordon, and reliever Jose Alvarez's throwing error on the play allowed Orlando to score.
The Angels protested the game over the umpires not calling interference on Mondesi as he ran to first.
Joakim Soria (4-4) picked up the victory by throwing a scoreless seventh inning. Royals starter Danny Duffy gave up three runs in six innings.
The Angels made it interesting with a two-run ninth off Wade Davis, who threw 33 pitches. Davis walked Albert Pujols with the bases loaded and gave up a run-producing single to Andrelton Simons.
Jett Bandy struck out with the bases loaded to end the game.
Johnny Giavotella had three hits for the Angels, while Jefry Marte stroked two doubles and drove in a run.
The Angels broke a scoreless deadlock in the fifth, which began with Duffy walking Bandy and Gregorio Petit. Giavotella, who began his career with the Royals, singled up the middle to load the bases with nobody out. Bandy scored when Yunel Escobar, who had five hits Tuesday, grounded into a double play.
Shoemaker retired the first 13 batters he faced before Salvador Perez drilled a double to right-center in the fifth inning. Gordon, who had been 3-for-24 on the homestand, singled to right, advancing Perez to third. Orlando's ground-rule double to left-center drove in Perez to tie the score.
Shoemaker (5-11) gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings.
NOTES: With the Royals losing six of seven entering Wednesday night, manager Ned Yost called a team meeting before the game. "I felt like they were pressing a little bit. Just relax," Yost said of his message in the brief meeting. The players have some anxiety, he said, because several Royals are being mentioned in trade speculation stories. "They don't want to see anybody leave that room," Yost said. "They want to see us all continue to stay together." ... Gregorio Petit started in left field for the Angels, his first professional game in the outfield. ... Angels OF Shane Robinson, who went on the disabled list July 6 with a right ankle sprain, begins a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with Inland Empire in the California League. ... The Angels return home Thursday to face the Boston Red Sox, who will start LHP David Price. RHP Jered Weaver will be on the mound for the Angels. ... The Royals open an eight-game trip with the first four at Texas. RHP Yordano Ventura starts Thursday against Rangers LHP Cole Hamels.