Soria apologizes for comment on KC defense

Veteran Royals reliever feels he's a good teammate

September 15th, 2016
Royals reliever Joakim Soria: "It has been a weird season and a frustrating season." (Getty)

KANSAS CITY -- Royals reliever told MLB.com that he has apologized to his teammates for comments he made after Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the A's.
Soria gave up the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning. After the game, Soria seemed to suggest the Royals probably should have been in a "no-doubles" prevent defense. 's two-run double was a line drive over center fielder 's head.
But Soria said that comment simply didn't come out right.
"It was never my intention to throw anyone under the bus," Soria told MLB.com. "My job isn't to say what position the defense should be in. My job is to get hitters out. I'm sorry it came out the wrong way."

Soria, who entered Thursday with seven blown saves, added that this season has been the most challenging one in his career.
"It has been a weird season and a frustrating season," Soria said. "But I know I'm a good teammate and I think my teammates know I'm there for him."
In fact, and came to Soria's defense as he was exiting from his outing on Tuesday night to thunderous boos. One fan was particularly irate and was hurling profanity toward Soria, according to Colon.
"We were just waving at that fan and trying to calm him down," Colon said. "He was [using foul language] and you could see that there were kids in the area. It was pretty bad. It was really inappropriate."
Colon said the reaction from Soria's apology was positive.
"Everyone in this room has struggled at one time or another," Colon said. "We've all been through it. But you have to stick together and we are sticking together. We've got each others' backs."