MLB: Romero goes the distance, but Jays fall to Royals

Ricky Romero pitched an eight-inning complete game, but the Jays offense couldn’t muster more than two runs falling to the Kansas City Royals 3-2 this afternoon.

It was the second time this season that Romero has pitched a complete game for a loss. The Jays had their opportunity to push the game to extra innings – or at least force the Royals to try and swing home a run in the bottom of the 9th – but instead Corey Patterson left the bases loaded in the top half of the 9th, popping out to Royals third baseman Wilson Betemit to end the game. Adam Lind also had a chance to put offense on the board for the Jays and bring home Mike McCoy and Jose Bautista who were walked prior to his at bat in the 8th inning, but Lind struck out. However, although Lind misses on his chance in the 8th, he continued to build on his offensive success of the past week going 3-4 on the afternoon. J.P Arencibia also continued his offensive hot streak, going 1-4 on the afternoon and bringing home the Jays only two runs with a triple in the top of the 4th. “I hate losing, bottom line, if I got beat by 10 runs or one run,” Romero told the Associated Press. “I’m a competitor. I have heart. I take a lot of pride in that. I hate losing. It’s unfortunate we lost. It stinks.” Royals starting pitcher Hochevar picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching seven innings and giving up just six hits. It was his first win since May 1st. “You never want to go through those stretches,” Hochevar told the Associated Press. “Sometimes they happen. You’ve just got to battle through them and stay positive and continue to pound the strike zone and do what you do.” Joakim Soria picked up his eighth save of the season.