Royals hit nearly 3-year low after 8-3 loss to Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Kansas City Royals have hit a nearly three-year low.

The defending World Series champions, who also won the 2014 American League pennant, dropped 10 games back in the AL Central standings for the first time since Aug. 31, 2013, after an 8-3 loss to the West-leading Texas Rangers on Friday night.

"Offense has been sporadic. It's just been tough," manager Ned Yost said. "Keep grinding away. You can't tell them to go out and get a hit. It's just got to happen. ... Your mindset is there's a couple months left of baseball to play. Show up ready to go tomorrow."

Eric Hosmer had a two-run homer for the fourth-place Royals, who have lost six of their last seven games and are 7-17 in July.

Edinson Volquez (8-9), whose name has come up in trade rumors with the Royals struggling, was down 3-0 after the first inning but made it through six innings. He struck out five and walked two while allowing six runs and nine hits.

"I think I came out a little strong in the first inning, walking the first guy. I got in trouble myself. After that, pitched a couple good innings," Volquez said. "I think I lost the game the first inning."

The right-hander made his major league debut with the Rangers before being traded to Cincinnati after the 2007 season for slugger Josh Hamilton. Volquez is 0-3 in five career starts against the Rangers, one of four teams he's never beaten in his career.

Rougned Odor homered twice, including a solo shot in the first that made it 3-0, while Jurickson Profar also went deep and scored three times for the AL West-leading Rangers.

A.J. Griffin (4-1) became the only Texas starter other than All-Star lefty Cole Hamels with a win in July, going 5 2-3 innings in his longest outing in seven starts since coming off the disabled list because of right shoulder stiffness. The only runs he allowed came on Hosmer's two-run homer in the sixth that made it 5-2.

Griffin had missed two seasons after Tommy John surgery, but was 3-1 in six starts through the first week of May before going on the DL.

"Two years off from pitching is a long time. It caught up with me a little bit," Griffin said. "I feel like I am getting that second wind. My shoulder's responding a lot better with each outing."

HOSMER HOMER

After Lorenzo Cain was hit by a pitch with two outs in the sixth, Hosmer snapped an 0-for-14 slump with his 14th homer. That got the Royals within 5-2 and chased Griffin.

ROAD WOES

The Royals have lost eight of their last nine road games are 17-34 away from home this season.

SHORT HOPS

The Rangers failed to score in the fourth after loading the bases with no outs. The first out came when third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert made a diving stop of Elvis Andrus' grounder, then got up and threw home for a forceout. A strikeout and groundout followed that

TRAINER'S ROOM

Royals: Cain played for the first time since June 28 after missing 25 games because of a left hamstring strain. He was reactivated from the disabled list, and rookie OF Brett Eibner was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. ... RHP Luke Hochevar (thoracic outlet syndrome) will get a second opinion Monday from another specialist in Kansas City after a Dallas specialist on Friday recommended season-ending surgery.

Rangers: Slugger Prince Fielder's season-ending surgery Friday to repair a herniated disk in his neck went as expected.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy (6-9) is 0-3 in five starts this month. He is also 0-2 in three career starts against the Rangers.

Rangers: Lefty Martin Perez (7-7) was 4-0 in five starts in June, but goes into his sixth start in July still without a win.