Royals Drop Series To Mariners, Resign Jason Kendall

On one of the hottest days of the year, the Royals had absolutely no answer for the red-hot Felix Hernandez, only producing one run in a 6-1 loss to the Mariners yesterday. The loss means that despite an easy post All Star break schedule, the team has yet to win a series since play resumed.

Hernandez worked through the eighth, only allowing a run when Chris Getz hit a single in the 5th to drive home Eric Hosmer. The Royals had a great chance to get back into the game in the eighth inning, when the team loaded the bases with only one out. Hernandez, who leads the league in strikeouts, fanned Alcides Escobar and got Billy Butler to ground out, ending any hope the Royals had for a comeback.

Seattle’s offense was led by Jesus Montero, who homered and drove in four runs of rookie Will Smith. Smith had pitched well in Triple-A Omaha before being called up due to the struggles the Royals have had in the bullpen, and despite his poor performance yesterday, he will likely get several more chances to earn a permanent spot in the rotation.

The Royals were busy making some deals as well, most notably their resigning of catcher Jason Kendall to a minor league contract. Kendall played for Kansas City in 2010 before missing all of 2011 due to injury. At 38, it is hard to imagine that Kendall has much left in the tank, but he played well for the team in 2010 and is a former three-time All Star. If the injury bug that has bitten the Royals pitching staff hits Kansas City’s offense, we may very well see Kendall called up sometime before the season ends.

Kansas City begins a three game series with Minnesota tonight to conclude the team’s ten game home stand. Luke Hochevar (6-8) will start for the Royals, and Nick Blackburn (4-5) will start for the Twins. Game one begins tonight at 7:10 p.m.

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2011 All-Star Recap, Game Moves to Kansas City Next Year

After the AL dominated the All-Star game for 14 years, the NL is finally starting to put a streak of its own together. Prince Fielder hit a three run homer in the fourth, propelling the national league to a 5-1 victory.

Roy Halladay and nine other pitchers combined to keep the potent AL lineup off balance all game. The American League's only run came in the top of the fourth inning, when Adrian Gonzalez hit a solo shot to give the AL a 1-0 lead. However, Fielder's blast only a few moments later gave the NL a lead that was rarely threatened. The NL would pad the lead with runs in the fifth and seventh inning.

The victory gives the NL home field advantage for the world series. However, the bigger story seems to be the list of no-shows on the AL side. Derek Jeter pulled out of the game, citing exhaustion fresh off of reaching 3,000 hits for his career. The AL's pitching was also hit hard, as Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and Felix Hernandez did not play. A total of 16 of the 84 All-Stars did not participate in the festivities.

The All-Star game moves to Kansas City in 2012, and will be the first time the Royals have hosted the mid-summer classic since 1973. The team sent representatives to the 2011 game to help prepare for next year, and will reveal next year's All-Star logo on August 2.