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Volquez coughs up worst start in Royals history with 12-run dud

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Years from now, when Kansas City Royals fans reflect on Edinson Volquez's tenure with the club, two things will probably stick out most. First, they'll remember his performance in the 2015 postseason, when the freshly bereaved right-hander crafted a 3.77 ERA over five outings and tossed six solid innings in the decisive Game 5 of the World Series.

Unfortunately, though, they'll also remember that game against Houston.

Volquez, who had allowed at least four runs in three of his previous four starts in June, endured one of the most horrific starts of the modern era Friday at Kauffman Stadium, where the 32-year-old surrendered 12 runs in one-plus inning against the Astros to become just the third pitcher since 1913 to allow a dozen runs while recording no more than three outs.

Player Date R IP H BB
Edinson Volquez 2016-06-24 12 1 8 3
Bubba Harris 1948-07-04 12 0.2 6 5
Hal Kelleher 1938-05-05 12 1 10 3

Volquez also earned a spot in the Royals record books with his nightmarish outing - in which he coughed up a triple and a grand slam to George Springer before his teammates got to hit - as his minus-18 Game Score is easily the worst mark in franchise history, far more odious than the one-inning dud Jeremy Guthrie stumbled through on May 25, 2015.

Player Date GSc ▴ R IP wpa
Edinson Volquez 2016-06-24 -18 12 1 -0.48
Jeremy Guthrie 2015-05-25 -11 11 1 -0.44
Zack Greinke 2005-06-10 -11 11 4.1 -0.417
Brian Bannister 2008-08-17 -10 10 1 -0.655
Luke Hudson 2006-08-13 -9 11 0.1 -0.44

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