Just when it looked as though the Kansas City Royals may have life, they ended up digging themselves deeper.

On Saturday, the Royals dropped their fifth game in a row, losing the second game in a three-game road series with the Texas Rangers, 7-6, while squandering a two-run lead entering the ninth and heroics from catcher Carter Jensen to remain among the major's most disappointing teams heading into the middle stretch of the season.

Kansas City Royals sink further as closer Lucas Erceg blows fifth save of season

Closer Lucas Erceg blew his fifth save of the season in the loss, which was arguably his worst performance in what's turned into a miserable season for the prized 2024 trade deadline acquisition. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, including one home run, without recording an out, in his second consecutive appearance with a blown save.

Over Erceg's last three outings, he's given up eight earned runs in two innings, allowing a hit to 13 of the 18 batters he's faced.

His latest dud was made even more disappointing for Kansas City considering others played a level that indicated how important this stretch is with the team sitting at fourth in the AL Central and already well behind the division-leader Cleveland Guardians for first.

Catcher Carter Jensen, batting leadoff, went 2-for-5 at the plate, including hitting a two-run home run in the top of the eighth to give Kansas City a 6-3 lead. During the bottom half of the inning and runners on second and third, he made a fantastic defensive play with a diving catch in foul territory to close the frame.

Kansas City's drop has been swift and steep. On May 9, the Royals were second in the AL Central at 19-21. But in the three weeks since, they are an MLB-worst 3-15, allowing 97 runs during the span. Erceg has a 16.20 ERA with three blown saves.

For a team with playoff aspirations, few have been as disappointing as the Royals. They still have over 100 games to right the ship, but until they solve their crisis at closer, things won't improve.