But the Royals’ offense did just that. The Royals scored eight or more runs for the fifth straight game for only the second time in franchise history (1978), and the first time in MLB since the Dodgers ended the 2021 season on such a streak. It’s also the first time Kansas City has had two winning streaks of seven-plus games since the 2014 season.

The big blow was Michael Massey’s two-out, three-run homer off left-hander Tyler Alexander, putting the Royals up 5-1 in the fifth inning. It was Massey’s sixth homer in his last 20 games, but one inning later he left the game with what the Royals described as low back tightness, the same injury that caused him to start the season on the injured list.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Massey departed as a precaution. Massey reiterated that he is confident he will be fine. The 29-year-old second baseman is considered day to day.

“You don’t want to turn it into something that’s longer than it needs to be,” Massey said. “I felt it during the day. It didn’t make sense to stay out there and take a chance. Just some back tightness. I wanted to get some treatment and try to loosen it up.”