The worst-performing bullpen in the American League prompted a pregame move Friday, Royals manager Ned Yost trying something — anything — to find the right combination to close out a victory. Starter Jason Hammel had been the most recent victim of those struggles, his six shutout innings five days ago failing to hold up.
Hammel gave his bullpen a second opportunity on Friday.
It returned him an identical outcome.
After Hammel departed with a two-run lead Friday, the Royals bullpen couldn’t make it stick, and the Angels escaped with a 5-4 win in front of an announced crowd of 15,011 at Kauffman Stadium.