The Royals closed out the exhibition season with a 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Municipal Stadium.

St. Louis scored three runs in the second inning against Royals starter Dave Morehead, but two were unearned. The Cardinals scored three unearned runs on the afternoon, taking advantage of two errors on Royals shortstop Jackie Hernandez and one by catcher Jim Campanis.

After St. Louis added a run in the fifth against reliever Mike Hedlund, Kansas City second baseman Jerry Adair delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the inning. The Royals added another run in the frame to get within one run, 4-3, and they chased Cardinals starter Steve Carlton from the game in the process.

However, the Cardinals scored two more runs in the sixth, these off Moe Drabowsky, to open up another three-run lead. That meant Kansas City’s two-run rally in the seventh inning was not quite enough to tie the game.

Lou Piniella and Ed Kirkpatrick led the Royals’ offense with two hits apiece.

Kansas City ended preseason play with an 11-15 record.

Today’s birthday: Marty Pattin (1943)