Royals Recap: Gordon, Getz Bases Loaded Triples; Escobar Homers; Hosmer Has 4 Hits

It took three and a half games for the the Kansas City Royals’ bats we witnessed in Arizona to finally thaw out. The Royals (2-2) only scored 5 runs in their first 31 innings of the season but they scored 13 times in the last 5 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies (1-3) on Friday, winning 13-4.

Apr 5, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) runs the bases after hitting home run in the eighth inning during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Citizens bank Park. The Royals defeated the Phillies, 13-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Wade Davis was not impressive in his Royal debut. Davis allowed 4 runs in 4 innings, and was touched up for 9 hits, including 2 long balls. According to texasleaguers.com, he relied almost completely on fastballs (46.7%) and change ups (48%). Charts on that same site show only 16 pitches (21%) in bottom half of the strike zone. Davis throws three kinds of fastballs – cut, 2-seam, and a 4-seam – but he relied heavily on his change up and only threw 4 curve balls. He obviously needs to mix in a few more curves and work lower in the strike zone in the future. Four Royal reliever relievers held the Phillies in check for 5 innings, allowing only 1 base runner,while striking out 5.

At the Plate

Finally, the offense showed up. The Royals scorched the Phillies for 13 runs and 19 hits. KC also walked 4 times. There were stars up and down the line up Alex Gordon had 3 hits, including a bases loaded triple, and produced 5 runs. Chris Getz also had 3 hits and a bases loaded triple, and was good for 4 runs produced Alcides Escobar hit the Royals first home run of the season, and Eric Hosmer went 4-5 with a walk and produced 5 runs himself. Hopefully, Kansas City can continue to have success against Philly pitching.

This and That

It was the first time in Royals’ history two they had 2 bases loaded triple in the same game. Remember Gordon and Getz for future trivia purposes. Irving Falu is 6th on Omaha’s all time hit list.

Player of the Game

There are many candidates for the award for Friday’s contest but I am going with Eric Hosmer. With the bases loaded and two outs, Hosmer came through with the biggest clutch hit of the season for the Royals and he really got things rolling. Add in the fact, he had 4 total hits, and Hosmer is more than deserving.

The Phillies

It was a tale of two games for the Phillies’ hitter. In the first half of the game, they pummeled Wade Davis but couldn’t muster even a whimper against Kansas City’s bullpen. It was the same for the pitchers. Starter Kyle Kendrick was terrific in the first four innings, then completely fell apart in the 5th and 6th. The bullpen was no better.

Up Next

Luis Mendoza will match up against John Lannan at 6:05 p.m.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (2-2): The Tigers got a save on Friday but it was a rare variety for the modern game. Drew Smyly went 4 perfect innings in relief of starter Doug Fister, striking out 5, for the save.

Cleveland Indians (2-2): The potent offense of the Indians could only muster 2 hits and no runs against Tampa’s Matt Moore and the bullpen.

Chicago White Sox (2-2): It took extra innings for the Seattle Mariners to beat Chicago. The Mariners scored 2 in the 10th, and the Sox came back with a run in the bottom of the 10th when Alex Rios scored on a Dewayne Wise single. The rally fell short when Tyler Flowers went down swinging for the final out.

Minnesota Twins (2-2): Reliever Casey Fien gave up 4 runs in the 8th to take the loss against the Orioles. Rookie Aaron Hicks has started of the season 1-17.

All 5 AL Central teams are tied at 2-2.