The Royals were blanked by Fried in the 3-0 loss to Braves

The Royals showed little offense against Braves starter Max Fried in their 3-0 loss to Atlanta on Friday night.

Brady Singer worked two walks in the first inning and retired eight of the next nine batters, with the only batter accomplishing this on an error by Michael Massey. In the fourth, Jorge Soler hit a one-out single. Ramon Laureano hit a slow grounder that had the potential to be an inning-ending double play. But Bobby Witt Jr. had fallen over and was slow to get to second, and his throw to first came too late. One batter later, Singer hit Sean Murphy with an 0-2 pitch, forcing him to hit a two-run home run.

Otherwise, Singer was sharp, exiting after six innings with just four hits, three walks and two runs allowed, while recording five strikeouts. It was his 13th good start of the season.

But he couldn't compete with Max Fried, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year and looked dominant tonight. He was in complete control through the first eight innings, allowing just three baserunners. The Royals had their best rally in the ninth with two outs. Bobby Witt Jr. walked and Michael Massey doubled to give Salvador Perez a chance to tie the game. The Braves brought closer Raisel Iglesias and he only needed one pitch to get Salvy to fly to left and end the game.

The Royals fall to 85-75 but can still clinch a playoff spot if the Twins lose to the Orioles tonight. Kansas City will have a chance to tie the series tomorrow night at 6:20 CT with Seth Lugo on the mound.