After Tuesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said his team’s performance “just wasn’t good enough.”

He felt the Royals needed to respond — and said he believed they would.

Advertisement

On Wednesday, it seemed the Royals were still searching for an adequate response. The offense remained ice cold, despite being gifted a run, and the bullpen sprung a couple of leaks.

It was too much to overcome at home. The Angels pulled out a 4-3 victory as Jo Adell remained a thorn in the Royals’ side.

“We come out here to win every night,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We lost both of these games. It’s very disappointing.”

The Royals have now lost three straight and four of five, all at home.

Adell hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Later, he reached on an infield single that Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. failed to corral.

Advertisement

“I’ve got to, 99 out of 100 times, make that play,” Witt said.

In the series, Adell has two homers and six RBIs. It was also his third consecutive game with a home run.

The Royals (70-69) dropped the midweek series. And they squandered a chance to make up ground in the American League Wild Card race. KC remains 2 ½ games behind the Seattle Mariners as both teams lost Wednesday.

For a while, the Royals held a two-run lead. A lot of credit went to Wednesday’s starter Ryan Bergert for keeping the advantage intact. However, it seemed the Royals’ struggling offense — which registered four hits — couldn’t put the Angels away.

Advertisement

“I wasn’t super efficient tonight,” Bergert said. “You know, I thought I made some good pitches, got out of some situations that I don’t like to find myself in. But yeah, it wasn’t the cleanest, but I feel like I battled pretty well.”

Royals team captain Salvador Perez provided a temporary jolt.

In the seventh inning, he laced a double down the left-field line. A batter later, Adam Frazier hit an RBI double to drive home pinch runner Tyler Tolbert.

The Royals tied the score at 3-3.

“We are hitting balls hard,” Frazier said. “We hit some good ones tonight right at them. It’s a game of inches every night, and so they won the game of inches tonight. And yeah, maybe a couple more big hits, we are right where we want to be.“

However, Adell quickly helped the Angels regain the lead and ultimately win the game. He hit an infield single off reliever Lucas Erceg as the go-ahead run scored.

Advertisement

“You’re in that situation and you lose the game for the team,” Witt said of his defensive lapse. “Make a mistake and it’s unacceptable for me. Unacceptable for that to happen to my teammates and with Erceg on the mound. It’s just not who I am, and I’ve got to be better.”

Bergert — who allowed one earned run across five innings — earned a no decision. Meanwhile, the Royals finished 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left three men on base.

Royals shift starting rotation plans

The Royals made a late change regarding Thursday’s starter. All-Star pitcher Seth Lugo was initially slated to start the series finale against the Angels.

Advertisement

However, Lugo will be replaced by left-handed rookie Noah Cameron, who was given extra rest last week.

“Lugo’s got some low back tightness from throwing yesterday and today,” Quatraro said. “… Cameron is well-rested. He’s ready to go. We’re gonna start him tomorrow and push Lugo back.”

Lugo has struggled in recent starts. He posted a 9.11 ERA in six starts last month while logging 21 strikeouts and 18 walks. Lugo addressed his rough patch with The Star and vowed to work through his current skid.

What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Angels on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium. Noah Cameron (7-6, 2.92 ERA) will make his 20th career start, and his first against Los Angeles. He is set to oppose veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks.