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After 14 games, Atlanta remains undefeated when scoring at least one run in a game. Unfortunately, that statistic doesn't help the Braves today as they were shutout by the Kansas City Royals; falling to 12-2 on the season with the 1-0 loss.
The only run of the game came in the top of the fourth off Braves starter Mike Minor. Alcides Escobar led off the inning with a single to right field. With Billy Butler up, Atlanta caught Escobar in the middle between first and second, but catcher Evan Gattis waited too long to throw to first base, allowing Escobar to slide back in safely.
Three batters later, Lorenzo Cain singled to put runners on first and second for Jeff Francoeur. Minor made the mistake of throwing a strike 1-2 and Francoeur pounced on it, lining a single to left that scored Escobar.
With their failure to score, the Braves wasted what turned out to be a fine start by Minor. The left-handed allowed five hits, the one run, and struck out five batters in 81 pitches.
Atlanta's best chance to put a run on the board came in the bottom of the seventh against Davis. Juan Francisco singled with two outs, and Chris Johnson followed with a bloop double that dropped in right beside the right field line. Chris Getz made a diving attempt at the ball, but missed, and the ball rolled behind the tarp on the other side of the foul line.
Brian Snitker sent Francisco home on the play, and he was thrown out easily to end the threat.
Kansas City starter Wade Davis held the Braves scoreless through seven innings of work, striking out seven while taking advantage of a questionable at times strikezone from umpire Doug Eddings.
Kelvin Herrera pitched a scoreless eighth, and closer Greg Holland struck out the side in the ninth to seal the 1-0 win for Kansas City.