BALTIMORE -- The Royals' feeble offense is now starting to shatter franchise records.
After dropping a 4-0 decision to the Orioles on Wednesday night, their seventh straight loss, the Royals now have scored one or fewer runs in six straight games, extending their franchise record. They set the original mark the night before.
"It's very frustrating, because I know we're all capable of playing a lot better," center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. "We just got to get it going. We're all struggling right now, especially me. I just got to get going."
The futility is a collective effort. Another record the Royals have set is they have scored three earned runs in a span of 57 innings.
"Again, you guys want to talk about frustration," manager Ned Yost said. "I try not to get frustrated. I know these guys are trying. We're just not being very productive right now."
On Tuesday night, just about every Royals hitter floundered chances at the plate as they went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
On Wednesday, they had runners on first and second with two out in the seventh, but Cheslor Cuthbert struck out. With the bases loaded and two out in the eighth, Salvador Perez flied out to left.
But first baseman Eric Hosmer said he doesn't sense any panic or pressing.
"I wouldn't say that [pressing]," Hosmer said. "Everyone has kept a good attitude. It's just something we're not getting done at the plate. The mood and energy doesn't seem like bad. Maybe the guys are trying to do a little more at the plate, that's all."
Hosmer chooses to think positively about the seven-game skid, the longest by the Royals since August 2013.
"Yes, it's frustrating because we want to win games," he said. "We're facing some good teams right now. Stuff is not going our way. But if you take any positives from it, we've lost seven in a row, and we got big division games coming up, and we're 2 1/2 games behind Cleveland. This spot in June, that's plenty of time. We just try to wash this away and try to play better baseball."
And Hosmer won't blame the losses on missing parts such as Alex Gordon [on the DL with a wrist injury and out for three more weeks] and Mike Moustakas [torn ACL, out for the season].
"No, you know, we obviously miss those guys," Hosmer said. "It's unfortunate they are not here with us. As a professional, you have to move. We realize we have to go with the guys we got. If we can get hot and a month down the road, then Alex Gordon can be the hottest trade [acquisition] there is. We might be able to get a big piece [Gordon] back."