The Mariners got all they could realistically want from Andrew Moore in his second major-league start.
Without slugger Nelson Cruz in the starting lineup for the second day in a row, the Mariners got very little from their offense in a 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals in the opening game of their three-game series Monday night.
Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy pitched into the seventh inning, quieting the Mariners bats before the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Safeco Field. The Mariners (41-43) managed just four hits, and three came from Danny Valencia.
Moore, recalled from Class AAA Tacoma earlier Monday, was the hard-luck loser despite eight solid innings in which he allowed three runs on five hits.