Hughes allowed four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts over 7.2 innings Wednesday in a 6-1 loss to the Royals. Hughes had given up only two hits heading into the seventh inning with a 1-0 lead. A couple well-placed singles, a stolen base, a bunt and two runs later Hughes was pulled from the game, then the bullpen surrendered two inherited runner, plus two more runs. It ends a streak of four starts in a row for the right-hander allowing one run or fewer. Hughes takes the mound again Monday in Baltimore.