KANSAS CITY -- As the losses piled up during a rough 7-19 July, Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez attempted to analyze what had been ailing the defending World Series champions.
Perez shrugged his shoulders and simply said, "Maybe we're a little tired."
Tired. And banged up.
After a run all the way to Game 7 of the 2014 World Series and a five-game World Series triumph over the Mets last season, the Royals' energy tank eventually showed empty in '16.
It didn't help that the Royals lost third baseman Mike Moustakas (knee surgery) for the season in May.