KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ A monitor inside the Royals clubhouse displays the schedule over the next several days, with the logos of opponents stationed next to each day of the week. For Thursday's slot, pictures of President Obama and the White House have replaced the usual team emblems, representing a midweek destination.
But fewer than 24 hours before they celebrate their 2015 World Series championship with a visit to the nation's capital, the Royals supplied a reminder of their precarious position in 2016.
Cleveland tagged Royals starter Ian Kennedy for four home runs, more than enough fireworks in an 11-4 series-clinching victory on a hot, humid Wednesday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals, 47-47, fell to .500 for the first time since June 10, and when they arrive in Washington later Wednesday night, they will sit nine games behind the first-place Indians in the American League Central.
"That's not the way we had planned the series to go," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said.
Two days ago, members of the Royals thought a comeback win against the division leaders could fuel a second-half surge. But the you're-only-as-good-as-your-next-starting-pitcher adage trumped that, at least temporarily.
On Tuesday, the windmill of options in the fifth spot in the rotation turned to Brian Flynn, and the Indians chased him from the game with three early runs.
It grew worse.
Kennedy served up four home runs in Wednesday's series finale, each more majestic than the last. The Indians sent 11 hitters to the plate in a seven-run fifth inning, and hit three baseballs that left the yard.
"I was falling behind on guys, and they made me pay for it," Kennedy said.
Carlos Santana led off the fifth with a home run to right field that whizzed over the top of the bullpen. Right fielder Paulo Orlando didn't even offer a courtesy trip to the fence. Three batters later, Mike Napoli sent a two-run shot to left center, prompting Royals manager Ned Yost to pop out of the dugout and take the ball from Kennedy.
By the end of the inning, Indians outfielder Tyler Naquin had more home runs (two) during a two-hour span than the Royals have since the All-Star break (one). Naquin drove in six runs.
"He hit a couple homers off us in spring training. I was really, really impressed and continue to be impressed with him," Yost said.
During a game in which he struck out eight, Kennedy moved atop an undesirable leader board. He has allowed 26 home runs this season, tied for the most in the American League. He shares the honor with Royals starter-turned-reliever Chris Young, who managed 21/3 scoreless innings Wednesday.
