NEW YORK -- This certainly wasn't Royals right-hander Jakob Junis at his best.
Junis, making his second start since coming off the disabled list because of back inflammation, was roughed up for nine hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-2 loss to the Yankees on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.
But Junis certainly didn't get much help from his defense, especially shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, who committed two errors that led to four unearned runs.
Royals front-office officials have acknowledged privately that there would be growing pains for Mondesi, who will turn 23 on Friday and presumably is the shortstop of the future.