Yost sticks with Alcides at top of lineup

KANSAS CITY -- No big surprise that the Royals' revised batting order, which erupted for a 7-1 victory over Boston on Saturday night, remained intact for Sunday's game.

That included shortstop Alcides Escobar leading off for just the third time this season.

Escobar tends to be a free swinger -- he had just 20 walks in his 148 games -- which is one reason he doesn't often get the leadoff assignment. But he was trying to be selective on Saturday night, when he went 2-for-4.

"After he grounded out on that 3-2 pitch, he goes, 'You know that was a strike.' I said, 'I know,'" manager Ned Yost recalled. "He said, 'I just wanted you to know, I knew that was a strike. If it was a ball, I was taking it.'"

In other words, Escobar was ready and willing to take a walk.

Yost chuckled.

"I think he likes that spot," he said.