The Cleveland Guardians' rough patch continued Tuesday night as they dropped their third straight game, falling 5-3 to the surging Kansas City Royals. The loss extends Cleveland's losing streak, while the Royals keep rolling with their season-high fifth consecutive win.

Rhys Hoskins provided the lone bright spot for the Guardians, crushing a three-run homer in the fourth inning. But that was all the offense Cleveland could muster against Royals starter Stephen Kolek, who was making his 2026 debut after being activated from the injured list.

Kolek (1-0) was sharp despite the long layoff, allowing just four hits over six innings. The right-hander didn't issue a walk and retired the final eight Guardians he faced, showing no signs of rust from the oblique strain that sidelined him.

The Royals jumped ahead early, with Michael Massey delivering a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fourth inning. Isaac Collins also went deep and finished a triple shy of the cycle for Kansas City, which has won 10 of its last 13 games after dropping eight straight.

For the Guardians, the mounting losses are becoming a concern as they try to keep pace in the division. Cleveland will look to salvage the series and snap their skid in the remaining games of this four-game set against a Royals team that's suddenly red-hot.