In a one-run game in the bottom of the 9th, the Royals put runners on the corners with nobody out against Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, but Atlanta hung on for a 4-3 win at Kauffman Stadium when Alcides Escobar flied out with the bases loaded.
Kimbrel walked Mike Moustakas and gave up a single to David Lough to start the ninth, but rallied to strike out Elliot Johnson and Jarrod Dyson. Kimbrel intentionally walked Alex Gordon to load the bases, and then got Escobar to fly out to right on the first pitch.
The Royals took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Billy Butler in the top of the 5th. The Braves struck back with a three-run 5th thanks to back-to-back doubles by Jordan Schafer and Jason Heyward.
Eric Hosmer tied the game at 3 in the bottom of the 5th with a two-run homer, his fourth of the season, off eventual winner Kris Medlen (5-7)
Heyward broke the tie and ultimately won the game for Atlanta with a solo homer against Tim Collins (2-2) in the 7th.
The Royals will play one more against the Braves on Wednesday night at 7:10pm. Pregame begins at 6:30 on KMAN from the Royals Radio Network.
