Royals manager Trey Hillman given vote of confidence despite struggling in second year

Royals manager Hillman given vote of confidence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — General manager Dayton Moore has given Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman a vote of confidence, saying he will return next season.

The Royals (37-54) went into Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels 17 games below .500 after losing six straight and eight of nine.

They took leads into the eighth inning in three games over the weekend against Tampa Bay, but the Rays rallied each time and swept the series.

Hillman said he appreciated the vote of confidence. He had never played or coached in the majors, spending five years as a manager in Japan before the Royals hired him after the 2007 season.

Hillman guided the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters to the playoffs three times and the Japan Series title in 2006.