The Kansas City Royals were blanked by the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Tuesday, July 22 at Wrigley Field, as the Cubs claimed half their runs off starting pitcher Rich Hill.

All eyes were on the 45-year-old Hill as he took the mound for his 21st season in the majors, suiting up for his record-tying 14th franchise. Hill allowed an RBI single to Matt Shaw in the second inning, followed by a fielder’s choice to Nico Hoerner that scored Justin Turner. Pete Crow-Armstrong sent a double to right field that scored Carson Kelly; however, Jac Caglianone’s throw to third prevented Crow-Armstrong’s attempt to make his hit a triple. Hill did take the loss, with one earned run on six hits and two walks, while adding a strikeout. Jonathan Bowlan allowed three runs in the seventh, including Kyle Tucker’s successful steal of home.

The Royals came closest to scoring in the fifth, when they had the bases loaded with one out. However, a Cubs challenge was successful, awarding Dansby Swanson an unassisted double play when he caught Kyle Isbel’s line drive and then tagged Freddy Fermin. Despite being two-for-three with runners in scoring position, the Royals were limited to six hits and could only get one walk out of Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd. The starter Boyd went seven innings and struck six Royals out to record his 11th win of the season.

The Royals fall to 49-53, 11 games behind Detroit in the AL Central and 4.5 games behind Boston for the third wild card spot. The series against the Cubs concludes Wednesday afternoon at 1:20 p.m., when Seth Lugo gets the start. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. on KMMO AM 1300.