Royals — Guardians: 5:11, MLB

Guardians beat Royals 11-5 on Friday night in a regular-season MLB match at the home stadium. The visitors took command early and kept the lead steady through the middle innings. By then the outcome was clear, and Royals could only watch from behind.

Guardians loaded the board in the third and fourth frames. Royals fought back twice but each time fell short of the deficit. The visitors had three innings where they scored more than two runs, and that added up quickly.

Royals came in having lost four of their last five. They beat White Sox 5-4 on Wednesday but that was the only bright spot. Guardians, meanwhile, had won three of their last five and looked comfortable against the hosts.

and here's the thing — we called this one at 55 per cent confidence for the visitors. The result matched the reading. Royals' pitching was too loose and Guardians found the gaps when it mattered.

The win moves Guardians closer to the playoff picture. Royals now sit further back with a losing streak that could cost them ground. The gap between them grows by the day.