Milwaukee Brewers Drop Third Straight; Lose to Royals 8-5

The Milwaukee Brewers welcomed the best team in the American League to Miller Park for the first of a 4-game home and home series.  The Kansas City Royals led the whole way and came away with an 8-5 victory.

The Royals got the scoring started with 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning.  Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer both had RBI singles, and Alex Gordon added a sacrifice fly to give the Royals an early edge.  Former Brewer Lorenzo Cain hit a 2-run home run to left field in the 5th, his fifth of the year, pushing the lead to 5-0.

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Jonathan Lucroy finally put the Brewers on the board in their half of the 5th inning.  With one out, Hector Gomez was hit by a pitch, and Hernan Perez followed with a single to center field.  Lucroy drove in both runners with a double to right field, cutting the margin to 3 runs.

But, the Royals would get both runs back in the top of the 6th.  With Neal Cotts pitching in relief of starter Kyle Lohse, Cotts surrendered three straight singles to open the inning, loading the bases with nobody out.  Kendrys Morales grounded into a double play, scoring a run, and another former Brewer, Alcides Escobar followed with a flare to center field, scoring another run and pushing the margin to 7-2.

Escobar increased the Royals lead to 6 in the 8th inning with an RBI single to center field off of Brewers reliever Michael Blazek.  It is just the 5th earned run allowed all season for Blazek, who has been solid out of the bullpen.

The Brewers had one more rally in them in the bottom of the 9th inning.  Shane Peterson opened the inning with a single to center and Hector Gomez followed with a double down the left field line.  Pinch hitter Martin Maldonado drove in both runners with a single to right center field, cutting the lead to 8-4.  After a wild pitch and a walk, Lucroy hit an RBI double down the left field line, cutting the lead to 3, and bringing the tying run to the plate with nobody out.

Former Brewers Manager Ned Yost brought in Wade Davis to end the rally.  He struck out Ryan Braun for the first out of the inning and retired Adam Lind on a sharply hit line drive right at Escobar.  Aramis Ramirez flew out to left field to end the threat and the game.  Davis earned his 8th save of the season.

Lohse had another rough outing, pitching 5 innings and giving up 5 earned runs.  He struck out two batters while walking two and surrendering 5 hits.  He dropped his fourth straight decision, dropping his record to 3-8 on the season, while his ERA increased again, to 6.44.

Edinson Volquez picked up the win, improving his record to 6-4.  He pitched 5 innings scattering 6 hits and 2 walks.  He was tagged with 2 earned runs and recorded 2 strikeouts.

Game 2 of the 4-game home and home series will be Tuesday night at 7:10 pm. The Brewers will send Matt Garza (4-7, 4.80 ERA) and the Royals will counter with Chris Young (5-2, 2.25 ERA).