The Kansas City Royals claimed the first run of the game, but it would be their only score as the Los Angeles Angels took control and brought down the Royals 5-1 on Tuesday, Sep. 2 at Kauffman Stadium.

Bobby Witt Jr provided the only Royals run after his one-out triple in the third. Vinnie Pasquantino sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Witt. The Angels responded with a two-run home run in the sixth by Jo Adell, his 32nd of the year, which undid an otherwise solid evening for Royals starter Michael Lorenzen. The Angels extended their lead in the seventh when Oswald Peraza doubled to right field, then scored on a wild pitch from John Schreiber. Bryce Teodosio provided a sacrifice fly in the ninth for more insurance.

The Royals missed opportunities to extend their early lead, as Kyle Isbel was caught stealing in the fifth. They also squandered a leadoff walk to Witt in the sixth, when Pasquantino grounded into a double play. The game ended with the Major League debut of Carter Jensen, who struck out swinging when he pinched hit for designated hitter Randall Grichuk. Lorenzen ended up with the loss, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five.

The Royals (70-68) were fortunate to not lose ground in the playoff chase, as both the Mariners and Tigers also lost Tuesday night. KC remain nine games behind Detroit for the AL Central lead and two-and-a-half behind Seattle for the third wild card spot. Ryan Bergert will take the bump for the Royals on Wednesday evening, with first pitch at 6:40 p.m.; pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. on KMMO-FM 102.9.