KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The Cubs' hopes of completing a three-game sweep of the Royals collapsed Wednesday night in a 9-0 loss at Kauffman Stadium.
The Cubs were held to three hits by rookie Heath Fillmyer and two relievers.
Fillmyer, making his 10th major-league appearance, held the Cubs to one hit _ a leadoff single by Anthony Rizzo in the first _ until David Bote hit a single with one out in the seventh.
Fillmyer induced Kyle Schwarber to pop to short with the tying run on first to end the threat.
Meanwhile, Jose Quintana's control problems resurfaced in the second. Quintana, who didn't walk a batter in six innings of a 5-4 win over the Padres on Friday, issued walks to Jorge Bonifacio and Brett Phillips that set up a two-run double past a diving Bote at third base with two out to score two runs.
Quintana walked seven in two starts prior to his win over the Padres.
Adelberto Mondesi hit a three-run home run off Quintana in the seventh, and the Royals added four runs in the eighth off Tyler Chatwood.
The Cubs open a three-game series Friday against the Nationals at Wrigley Field.
