Mandatory Credit: John Sleezer – Kansas City Star

After watching the Kansas City Royals come back in classic Royals fashion against the Washington Nationals for a 7-6 win in the ninth inning, the team followed it up with easily its worst performance of the 2016 season in a 13-2 loss in which the Royals committed three first-inning errors and starting pitcher Chris Medlen was knocked around for 6 runs before the team even had a chance to bat.

For a team which has struggled hitting consistently this season, being down six runs in the top of the first inning makes it awfully tough to get into the game, mentally.

Kansas City tried to make a run at the Nats, scoring two runs to make it a closer game, but pitcher after pitcher for the Royals, including Danny Duffy and Luke Hochevar gave up multiple home runs, including one to NL MVP Bryce Harper, en route to an 11-run loss.

So now, the question is being asked; what’s wrong with the Royals?

There are a number of issues at hand, most notably the lack of hitting. It seems, however, that the team is just out of sorts as it relates to their usual tactics of small ball and timely hitting, stealing bases, and manufacturing runs.

To the eye, it looks as though many of the players on the roster are too committed to trying for the home run. The player which has been guilty of this the most is center fielder, Lorenzo Cain. For a majority of his at-bats this season, Cain has been extremely off balance and swinging as hard as possible.

It was a good sign, though, to see him knock home the winning run in the 7-6, ninth inning comeback prior to Wednesday’s loss.

Maybe he’s headed in the right direction, maybe not. Either way, KC needs their star outfielder to get it going.

Aside from hitting, the starting pitching staff has struggled to find consistency 1-5 in the rotation.

Edinson Volquez has been the more steady of the starters, but in his last couple of starts, Ian Kennedy has struggled to find his command much like he did in spring training, while Medlen and Chris Young have labored the most.

Ned Yost says Medlen isn’t in a spot where removing him from the starting rotation would be considered…yet, but if he continues to get shelled, the staff will need to make a change.

As KC works to find itself this season, the Chicago White Sox continue to to set the American League on fire and widen its lead over the AL Central.

Kansas City can change that with a weekend series against the Cleveland Indians, a team they had plenty of success against a season ago.

Your boys in blue are on the road for the next two series as they take on the Indians and New York Yankees before returning home to host the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox. Before the Royals return home, visit Tickets For Less to purchase tickets to the next set of home games at Kauffman Stadium. With zero hidden service fees, what you see is what you get on all ticket purchases. Parking passes are also available for purchase to make your experience at the ‘K’ a winning one! Tickets For Less has tickets for each and every home game this season, so don’t miss your chance to get out to the ballpark this summer and cheer on your Kansas City Royals!