Hernández (6 K's) seeking KC rotation spot

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals have used Carlos Hernández in a variety of situations, and the latest one gave him an opportunity to stick in that role.

Hernández was pegged for his first start of the season in Sunday’s matinee series finale against the Orioles, and while he gave up two runs in four innings in the Royals’ eventual 5-0 loss, the hard-throwing right-hander flashed enough to potentially earn him another start in the club’s search for a fifth starter.

All the chances the Royals had to overcome the deficit involved Hunter Dozier, who had four of the team’s six hits on the day, stretching his hitting streak to four games and raising his batting average to .333 over his last 15 games. But Kansas City was held scoreless for six innings by Matt Harvey, a former Royal as well as the former face of the Mets team the Royals defeated in the 2015 World Series, and left nine on base.

Harvey entered the rubber match with a 7.70 ERA, but the Royals couldn’t seem to figure him out.

Sunday was another frustrating series loss, especially after the offensive onslaught the Royals showed in Friday’s 9-2 win and a chance to start the second half in the win column facing a team with the second-worst record in the Majors. But they’ve now lost 17 of their last 21 games and six of their last seven, falling to a season-high 18 games under .500 (37-55).

“Harvey did what he needed to do today,” manager Mike Matheny said. “But every game we let go or don’t take advantage of, it hurts to say. We know what kind of team we have, and we should be seeing more of the results that we want.”

As the Royals try to turn around this season while looking toward the future, what Hernández showed could be a positive look toward both. The hard-throwing 24-year-old is going to be an important piece to this staff in the coming years, and he can give the club a chance to find an answer to the rotation help it’s needed all season.

Hernández utilized his five-pitch mix well while throwing hitters off with his 100 mph fastball and devastating curveball. His six punchouts in four innings matched his career high for strikeouts, which he’s now done three times this season.

“He just keeps maturing when he gets on the mound, being able to work himself back into counts,” Matheny said. “He was throwing behind-the-count breaking balls for strikes. With that electric fastball, to have that ability to not be as predictable as far as sitting on fastballs, he did a nice job pitching. It seems like he's building confidence every time he gets out there.”

Hernández faced trouble in the third inning that led to both runs being scored against him, but he ended his day with a clean fourth inning, including two strikeouts, and was helped with a couple of stellar defensive plays in the outfield by Andrew Benintendi and Michael A. Taylor.

Hernández has been a key asset in long relief, most recently throwing 3 2/3 innings against the Reds on July 6, which earned him a start on the final day before the All-Star break until that game was rained out.

“It’s really exciting, and I’m always looking to work hard and earn that spot in the rotation,” Hernández said through interpreter Luis Perez. “As long as I keep getting that chance, I’m going to do my best to continue to help the team.”

Despite the Royals having a chance to reset their rotation out of the break and this week’s scheduled off-days to use their established starters more, they still pegged Hernández for this start, giving him a chance to run with this rotation opportunity. He had an 8.22 ERA (seven runs in 7 2/3 innings) in four outings over his first two big league stints this year, but now he owns a 3.50 ERA (seven runs in 18 innings) since being recalled on June 9. There’s a distinct difference in Hernández’s delivery; with a 6-foot-4 frame, his windup often got too long and threw off the consistency of his mechanics. Now, he’s found success working from the stretch.

“I have worked hard on it,” Hernández said. "Just to get ahead and use my ability to pitch. It’s going to come down to attacking the zone and going out there always looking for that one pitch, one out situation.”

The Royals are trying to chase every win, but they can’t overlook the opportunity their young pitchers have gotten this year, Hernández included.

“Every time they’re out there, they’re learning something, and I believe they get better every time, even through struggles,” Matheny said before Sunday’s game. “Yes, we’re just trying to win. That’s what we want them to do. Learning to win at the Major League level is only going to happen in the Major Leagues. So how can we put them in situations that are going to help our club and meanwhile, give them opportunities.

“Take advantage of every opportunity and don’t get too far out of, ‘I’m just going to pitch, just do my job. And then I’ll be ready for what comes next.”