David Phelps loses fourth straight

Yankees pitcher David Phelps dropped his fourth decision in a row Saturday, in an 8-4 loss to the Royals.

Phelps struggled for the second outing in a row, as he failed to finish six innings for the first time in four starts. The Royals jumped on him for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings, on 10 hits and a pair of walks. Phelps struck out four batters in the start, on 93 pitches.

Phelps is now 1-4 on the season, and has seen his ERA rise during each of his four consecutive losses. It now stands at 4.88 in 51 2/3 innings heading into his next outing, set for Thursday in Seattle.