The KC Royals have been good on the road so far in 2012, but lost a pitcher’s duel to the NY Yankees, 3-2.

Via Cheryl Norman

The Royals had a 2-0 lead after the top of the 4th inning off Yankees starter Phil Hughes. In the 3rd inning, Humberto Quintero doubled in a run. Jeff Francoeur hit a two out solo homerun in the 4th inning.

That lead was short-lived, as the Yankees came back with one run in the bottom of the 4th inning on a Robinson Cano solo homerun and two more in the 5th inning to take the lead they would not relinquish. In that 5th inning, Derek Jeter drove in a run with a single and Curtis Granderson followed with an RBI ground out.

The Royals had their chances throughout the game, including the 9th inning against Yankees closer Rafael Soriano. With one out, Alex Gordon hit a ground-rule double. However, Soriano induced two straight ground outs to close out the game.

Hughes, who about a month ago was being talked about as being sent to the minors or headed to the bullpen, has been great in May. He picked up his fourth win of the season (second against the Royals), as he allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Hochevar was the hard-luck loser, as he allowed three runs on six hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The Royals continue to struggle with runners in scoring position, as they were just 1-for-6. Francoeur collected two hits in the loss.

*For more on the Yankees, check out Second Place is Not an Option.

Just when you thought that the KC Royals might actually win a home series, their pitching goes and gets pummeled. A six-run 3rd inning chased Royals starter Luke Hochevar from the game, as the NY Yankees won 10-4 (and the teams split the series).

The 3rd inning was capped by two homeruns: a grand slam from Robinson Cano and a solo shot by Nick Swisher in his return to the lineup. The Yankees collected five hits in the inning and Hochevar hit Alex Rodriguez with a pitch. Hochevar exited after the Swisher homerun.

Luis Mendoza was next for the Royals and retired the final two Yankee hitters. He didn’t crumble until the 8th inning when he walked the first two batters he faced (two of his five walks). Tommy Hottovy entered and struck out Curtis Granderson, but gave up a three-run homerun to A-Rod.

The Royals meanwhile, were stymied by both Yankee starter Phil Hughes and their bullpen. Hughes allowed three runs (all single runs) on six hits. He walked one while striking out seven over a season high 6.2 innings.

Irving Falu made his Major League debut and went 2-for-4 with a run scored, including a triple in his first at-bat. Jarrod Dyson went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the leadoff spot. The Royals collected nine hits, but went just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

*Eric Hosmer is just 4 for his last 37 and dropped to .185. Maybe he needs a few days off to clear his head. The Royals will be facing two left-handers as they welcome Boston to Kauffman Stadium this week.

**For more on the Yankees, check out Second Place is Not an Option.

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Welcome Home!

The KC Royals return home to Kauffman Stadium, hoping to win their first home game of the 2012 season. They will have a tough test as they welcome the NY Yankees to town. The Yankees rotation has been bad, but the bullpen’s been good and they still have an explosive offense (which didn’t show up against Baltimore). The Yankees have a short bench with the injuries to Nick Swisher and now Eric Chavez (hopefully the Royals can hit balls at 30-error Nunez). The Yankees dropped to 13-11 and into fourth place in the American League East.

The first game of the four-game series (tonight) will air live on MLB Network at 8pm ET.

Thursday: David Phelps (0-0, 3.57 ERA) @ Danny Duffy (1-2, 3.63 ERA)

Phelps will be making his first Major League start. He has been solid out of the Yankees bullpen and is taking the place of the awful Freddy Garcia (who moved to the bullpen). He has walked two compared to 14 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. Expect a ton of Phelps supporters to make the drive from St. Louis (where he is from). I have a soft spot for Phelps, who I watched develop over the last few years in the Yankees farm system (I’m an East Coast girl).

Duffy missed his last start due to tightness in his elbow and was pushed back again when the Royals were rained out twice in three days. Hopefully the tightness was only minor like reported because losing him would be a big blow.

Friday: CC Sabathia (3-0, 4.58 ERA) @ Bruce Chen (0-3, 4.23 ERA)

Sabathia has won three in a row and pitched into the 8th inning in those three starts after struggling in his first two starts. Sabathia did not face the Royals in 2011.

Chen was roughed up in his last start, but had been good prior. He faced the Yankees once in 2011 (August 17th) and picked up a win (6IP, 7H, 3R, 3BB, 3K).

Saturday: Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 3.69 ERA) @ TBA

Kuroda has been solid in his first season in New York. Normally he follows up a good outing with a bad. He’s had two straight good starts, so he is due for a subpar one.

Felipe Paulino is expected to slide into the rotation, as he is set to return from the DL and make his 2012 debut. He will be taking Luis Mendoza‘s spot, with Mendoza moving to the bullpen. Manager Ned Yost favors keeping two long-men with the Royals‘ rotation struggles (fewest innings of any rotation), so Nate Adcock appears safe.

Sunday: Phil Hughes (1-4, 7.48 ERA) @ Luke Hochevar (2-2, 7.36 ERA)

Hughes may be pitching for his rotation spot, with veteran Andy Pettitte looming. He was better in his last start (5.2IP, 4H, 4R, BB, 6K), but has given up the longball (seven homeruns in 21.2 innings). If he struggles, expect to see rookie DJ Mitchell (who made his big league debut Tuesday night) or Garcia.

Hochevar tends to give up A LOT of runs in the first inning (12 runs in his two losses). He was terrible in Detroit this week, so hopefully he can regroup. He did not face the Yankees in 2011.

*Will the Royals FINALLY win a home game? Who will earn the “W”?

**For more on the Yankees, check out Second Place is Not an Option.