Rookie right-hander David Hess’ ascendant second half of the season was halted Sunday in a sloppy 9-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals that resulted in a series sweep of the Orioles (40-97) at the hands of a team that opened a 5 1/2-game lead between the league-worst O’s and their hosts, the next-worst team.
A solo home run by Jonathan Villar gave the Orioles a first-inning advantage, but Hess was hit around while throwing the ball over the plate and didn’t help his cause throwing to bases either, sentencing the Orioles to their 11th sweep in 22 road series this season.