The Kansas City Royals’ attempt to use an opener to stave off the scoring instead saw the New York Yankees plate six in the first, en route to the Yankees’ 11-5 win Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Concerned about the starting rotation’s recent woes, the Royals turned to Dan Altavilla to open the game for Daniel Lynch IV. Altavilla could only get one out before Lynch was brought in with the bases loaded and the Yankees already leading 2-0. Lynch would gave up a sacrifice fly and three-run home run before getting out of the inning. The Yankees added two more in the fifth and three in the seventh. The Royals finally got on the board in the sixth with a pair of runs, followed by three in the seventh. Bobby Witt Jr collected a pair of RBIs, leading the Royals offense with three hits.

The Royals are now 39-30, 5.5 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central, and at risk of being swept for the first time this season. The Royals look to salvage the finale this afternoon at 1:10, with pregame at 12:30 on KMMO AM 1300.