Instead, it was business as usual for a cruising Orioles lineup -- led by Flaherty's two RBIs -- as the American League East leaders won for the seventh time in eight games. The Royals, last year's World Series champions, continued their slide as their season-high losing streak reached seven games. It is the first time the Royals have lost seven straight since August 2013.
Tillman's scoreless start
KC@BAL: Tillman fans nine over 7 1/3 scoreless frames
Chris Tillman pitches 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball, scattering eight hits while striking out nine Royals' batters to earn his eighth win
Royals starter Edinson Volquez was roughed up for four runs over 4 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and a pair of walks. Tillman struck out nine in picking up his eighth victory.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
A threat fizzles: The Royals did have a major threat in the eighth when two singles and a walk to Eric Hosmer loaded the bases with two out and put the potential tying run at the plate in the form of Salvador Perez. But Perez swung through the first two pitches from reliever Brad Brach. Then, Perez hit a hard liner to the warning track in left to end the threat.
Brach escapes the bases loaded
KC@BAL: Brach gets out of a bases-loaded jam
With the tying run at the plate, Brad Brach gets Salvador Perez to fly out to Hyun Soo Kim in left to get out of the jam
In a Flash: Orioles utility player Flaherty made a fantastic double play at third base to help Tillman's cause in the third inning and doubled in a pair of runs off Volquez. Flaherty is expected to see some more playing time with the pending suspension of Machado.
Flaherty turns two
KC@BAL: Flaherty snags pop bunt, turns a double play
Ryan Flaherty makes a nice catch on a bunt attempt, then throws quickly to Manny Machado in time to double up Cheslor Cuthbert at second
When it's going bad: When teams are mired in horrific offensive slumps, not even the simplest of plays is performed, like the bunt. The Royals had a promising start in the third inning when Cheslor Cuthbert led off with a double into the left-field corner. But No. 9 hitter Jarrod Dyson popped a bunt right to Flaherty, who then flipped to second to get Cuthbert for a double play. Then, Alcides Escobar followed with a perfect bunt for a hit. But Whit Merrifield grounded out.
WHAT'S NEXT
Royals: After an off-day on Thursday, right-hander Ian Kennedy (4-4, 3.44 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game road set against the White Sox on Friday at 7:10 p.m. CT. The Royals have won five of six meetings vs. American League Central rivals this season.
Orioles: Right-hander Tyler Wilson (2-5, 4.39) will get the ball on Thursday at 7:07 p.m. ET as Baltimore travels to Toronto for this first time this season for a four-game road series.Wilson took a loss in his last start after giving up five runs on seven hits in four innings last Saturday against the Yankees.
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Brittany Ghiroli has covered the Orioles for MLB.com since 2010. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, follow her on Facebook and Twitter @britt_ghiroli, and listen to her podcast.
Jeffrey Flanagan has covered the Royals since 1991, and for MLB.com since 2015. Follow him on Twitter @FlannyMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
O's use 4-run 5th to earn sweep of Royals
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