Out of Right Field: Recap, takeaways from the Seattle Mariners’ 6-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals

Jorge Soler hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Kansas City Royals rallied to defeat the host Seattle Mariners 6-4 Monday night in a matchup of last-place teams.

Martin Maldonado also homered for the Royals, who won for just the 10th time 35 road games this season. They were the last team in the majors to reach double-digits in victories away from home.

With two outs in the eighth, Alex Gordon grounded a single into left field against Mariners right-hander Anthony Bass (1-2). Soler then went deep to right-center field, his 19th home run of the season, for a 5-4 lead.

Royals left-hander Brian Flynn (1-0) got the victory with two scoreless innings of relief. He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out four. Right-hander Ian Kennedy pitched the ninth for his eighth save

Tom Murphy hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning to give the Mariners a 4-2 lead. It was the eighth home run in 89 at-bats for Murphy, the Mariners’ backup catcher who was acquired from San Francisco after the season began.

The Seattle bullpen spoiled a strong outing from left-hander Tommy Milone, who pitched 6 1/3 innings after taking over for opener Tayler Scott with two outs in the first, after the Royals had already scored once and had a runner at third base. Milone allowed one run on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

Of note

OF Braden Bishop was back in the home clubhouse for the first time since undergoing surgery for a lacerated spleen June 5. Bishop is expected to miss several more weeks, if not months. … 1B Ryon Healy is scheduled to have an epidural injection in his back Tuesday in an attempt to relieve nerve pain that has slowed his recovery. It could be a month before Healy, who was placed on the injured list May 21, resumes baseball activities.

By the numbers

2-for-12: The M’s hitters with runners in scoring position Monday.

Our take from Right Field

The pregame show on Root Sports was plagued by technical difficulties. The same could be said of the Mariners’ bullpen.

Up next

The M’s continue their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday at T-Mobile Park. LHP Yusei Kikuchi (3-4, 4.78 ERA) is scheduled to start against Royals RHP Homer Bailey (5-6, 5.37)..