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Soria’s struggles in big spot continue vs. A’s
- Updated: September 14, 2016
KANSAS CITY — Another game lost. And another game when Royals reliever Joakim Soria sat in front of his locker afterward explaining what went wrong.
Soria suffered his seventh blown save when pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso scorched a two-run double to the wall in center, part of a four-run eighth inning for the A’s that gave the Royals a crushing 5-4 loss on Tuesday night.
Soria did avoid tying a franchise record for losses (nine) by a reliever because he inherited two runners, who eventually scored the tying and go-ahead runs. The loss went to Matt Strahm.
But that will matter little in the standings as the Royals are fading from postseason contention — dropping five games back of the Orioles in the American League Wild Card race — and it certainly won’t matter to an upset fan base.
To set the stage: Soria entered with runners on first and second and two out and the Royals clinging to a 3-2 lead. Manager Ned Yost was without closer Wade Davis, who threw over 50 pitches in saves on Saturday and Sunday and has battled forearm issues. Thus, Kelvin Herrera had …
