Escobar's left leg injury isn't holding him back

BALTIMORE -- Alcides Escobar's banged-up leg was good enough to have him playing shortstop and batting eighth for the Royals on Sunday.

In Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles in 10 innings, Escobar was sprawled out trying to stop pitcher Danny Duffy's wild throw in the 10th when the Orioles' Jonathan Schoop slid into his left leg, causing a spike wound and soreness.

"It was a hard play, a tough play. It happens," Escobar said.

Escobar finished the game and was treated again on Sunday morning.

"It's good, I'm playing," he said. "It's fine. I'm getting treatment right now. I'm getting in the water -- cold pool and hot -- and getting ready for the game."

With Escobar hitting well -- .364 over his last 10 games -- a reporter asked manager Ned Yost why he didn't move Escobar up in the batting order.

"You've got to have some offense at the bottom of the order, too," Yost said. "I like where he's at. I like the speed at the bottom of the order, I like the fact that we've got a guy down there that's swinging the bat well, and can get on base for the guys at the top of the order."

Besides that, the only logical spot would be No. 2, held down by Omar Infante, who has been one of the Royals' top RBI men and is hitting .320 with runners in scoring position. So, Escobar will stay put for a while.

"He's been real productive and three weeks ago, you guys were asking why I wasn't pinch-hitting for him," Yost said. "So what's it going to be? Now, you're asking why I don't move him up?"

Yost was smiling when he said it.