The number, in so many ways, was unsustainable. The Royals were due for some regression at some point. Their pitching staff could not keep the ball in the ballpark at this pace, not all season.
In 15 games, the Royals’ pitching staff had allowed just eight home runs. The rotation entered Friday night having not allowed a ball to fly over the fence in 56 2/3 innings. The pendulum swung hard the other way in a 6-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday night at Globe Life Park.
Nathan Karns was rocked for four homers in 4 2/3 innings, ending a streak of seven straight quality starts from the starting rotation.