Slumbering bats + bullpen meltdown cost Royals in series finale vs. Chicago Cubs

The Kansas City Royals ended their nine-game homestand in disappointing fashion Sunday afternoon.

The Royals lost 7-3 to the Chicago Cubs in the final game of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

The teams traded runs early. The Royals raced out to a quick advantage as outfielder Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run single.

But the Cubs fired back in the third when second baseman Nico Horner hit a two-run single of his own.

It remained a close game into the ninth inning, Chicago leading 4-3. But Royals reliever James McArthur allowed three runs, including a solo homer to Cubs first baseman Patrick Wisdom, who hit a pinch-hit grand slam for the victorious visitors on Saturday.

The Royals dropped to 57-49.

KC left-handed starting pitcher Cole Ragans suffered his seventh loss after allowing four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. He surrendered eight hits and struck out seven.

The Cubs limited the Royals to five hits. In the fourth inning, Royals catcher Freddy Fermin hit a solo home run after fan interference. The blast was one of three runs allowed by Cubs starter Javier Assad.

However, the Royals didn’t manage to record another hit all afternoon.

Assad registered five strikeouts and walked a batter in six innings as Chicago improved to 51-56.

The Royals finished their nine-game homestand 5-4. They swept the Chicago White Sox in three games, then dropped series against the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Missed previous games of the series?

Game 1: Royals eclipse 2023 win total with series-opening victory over Cubs

Game 2: Royals fall 9-4 to Cubs after Patrick Wisdom’s pinch-hit grand slam

Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game:

MJ Melendez returns from injured list

The Royals received an offensive boost as outfielder MJ Melendez was activated from the 10-day injured list.

Melendez missed time due to a sprained left ankle. He sustained the injury prior to the All-Star break in a game against the Boston Red Sox. On Saturday, he hit a homer and drew a walk in his third rehab start with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

“We were hoping it was short,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Melendez’s stay on the IL. “It was more just how he felt. He didn’t have to show us anything performance-wise as much as can he run full-speed and could he cut.”

Melendez started Sunday’s game in left. He batted sixth and finished 0-for-4. He is hitting .193 this year.

In a corresponding move to Melendez’s activation, the Royals sent outfielder Drew Waters to Triple-A Omaha following Saturday’s game.

Royals relievers exit with injuries

New Royals relief pitcher Hunter Harvey left Sunday’s game early alongside members of KC’s training staff.

In the seventh inning, Harvey recorded two outs before showing signs of discomfort with runners on first and second.

Acquired from the Washington National via a mid-July trade, Harvey had walked Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ. He struggled to throw a strike and was facing Cubs designated hitter Michael Busch.

The Royals summoned left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa from the bullpen. Zerpa struck out Busch to end the inning, the Royals trailing 4-3.

It was a tough day all around for the Royals’ relief crew. Earlier Sunday, John Schreiber exited after experiencing discomfort in the patella tendon of his right knee.

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals begin a six-game road trip against American League Central rivals. Their first stop will be in Chicago.

Right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh will get the 7:10 p.m. start for the Royals against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Marsh is 3-4 with a 5.11 ERA in eight road starts this season.

The White Sox will start right-hander Chris Flexen. He is 2-10 with a 5.25 ERA and allowed seven earned runs in a July 19 start against the Royals.