Royals infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield speaks with reporters about closing in on a franchise record for consecutive games with a hit. Merrifield's streak reached 28, two shy of George Brett's club record of 30, before the game on April 8, 2019. By
A Seattle Mariners lineup stocked with hitters capable of punishing mistakes and powering balls out of the most cavernous ballpark wasn’t a great match for a Royals’ pitching staff — particularly a bullpen — that has been struggling mightily to find consistency.
The Royals, coming off their first road series of the season, were ultimately just supporting characters in the show put on by the Mariners in the first game of their four-game set at Kauffman Stadium.