Royals Collapse Again

First, the Royals hardly show up for an 11-1 drubbing against the Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Then, we simply gave one away yesterday. The blowout felt much better. At least it looked like we didn't belong in the same stadium (and that's saying something because Baltimore had lost 13 of the previous 17 games before this series started). No false pretenses. No false hope. Just one major league team taking it to another.

But the 8-7 loss yesterday was mind-bendingly bad. With a 7-4 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, Burgos walked the bases loaded. And of course, all three guys came around to score. Throw in an RBI single against Gobble and once again, the Royals lose on the road. Here's the thing—the Royals walked 12 times in the game (none of which were drawn by Berroa of course) and they had 9 hits. But they were a pathetic 4-for-19 with runners in scoring position.

Here's how Bell described the meltdown: "We find all kinds of ways. That's … that's … I can’t explain it. I don't know. I just don't have a whole lot to say about it."

I don't think I've ever seen a team this bad on the road. Going into the game yesterday, the Royals were hitting just .216 on the road—worst in the major leagues. The pitchers aren't much better on the road. They have a 6.10 ERA. And the Royals are now just 2-17 when playing away from Kauffman Stadium.

We get to do it all again tonight when Jeremy Affeldt (2-2, 5.33) goes against Paul Byrd (4-3, 6.52). Affeldt had a short outing his last time out, but he's still 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his last four starts and opponents are hitting just .232 against him during that stretch.

Berroa Walk Watch: 1 walk in 35 games.