Players ready to bounce back following end of streak
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- When the Royals winning streak ended, it ended with a resounding thumping, 12-2, by the Mariners on Thursday.
Since beginning the Cactus League season with a 5-5 tie against the Rangers, the Royals had reeled off 11 straight victories.
"I think we're going to bounce back just fine," second baseman Chris Getz said. "That was a tough one right there. It was a long game. They pitched well. They brought some good guys and those bullpen guys were pretty impressive. They've got some good arms and they came up with some big hits with guys on base."
Three home runs sent the Royals' reeling and the team ERA, a Spring Training best at 2.75 prior to the game, shot up to 3.46, but still ranked first. With seven hits, the team batting average slipped from .342 to .332, but also remained first among all Major League clubs.
But the unbeaten status was just a memory.
"Ah, it's Spring Training, man," third baseman Mike Moustakas told reporters. "That's what you guys are here for is to do that kind of stuff. We're here, we just go out and play. Right now, if we win or we lose, we're just out there trying to get better, trying to work for the season."
Moustakas, who went into Thursday's game leading the Majors with a .520 average, went 0-for-2 and fell to .481.