Hosmer back in No. 3 spot against Braves

KANSAS CITY -- Eric Hosmer was back in the No. 3 slot in the Royals' batting order on Tuesday night for the second straight game as manager Ned Yost got his first baseman back where he envisions his long-term future.

Hosmer had been primarily in the No. 2 slot since June 5 while Yost waited for his bat to heat up. Shortstop Alcides Escobar has returned to the second spot where he'd been most of the season. Catcher Salvador Perez, who sat out on Sunday, was moved from No. 3 to No. 5 behind designated hitter Billy Butler.

"Hoz is starting to hit and I like Esky in the two, I think our lineup is best with him in the two," Yost said. "I needed to find a little more protection for Billy and Sal's the best case there. So that created a hole in the two and Esky's suited for it and he feels good there."

Hosmer -- in his third at-bat during Tuesday's 4-3 loss -- belted a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Braves starter Kris Medlen.