Sometimes players just have to play. Despite questionable calls and poor managerial decisions, the players have to perform for a team to win. This didn’t happen on Tuesday as the Kansas City Royals (17-12) dropped a 4-3 decision to the Baltimore Orioles (20-13).
May 5, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder
Alex Gordon(4) drives in the winning run against the Chicago White Sox during the tenth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
In the bottom of the first inning, with Ervin Santana on the mound, with 2 on and 2 outs, it looked as if Oriole catcher Matt Wieters did not hold up on a check swing with 2 strikes on him. The third base umpire said he didn’t go, although that swing is almost always called a strike. With new life, Wieters drove a double in the right field gap scoring to drive in the second and third runs of the inning. Santana recovered but a batter too late. Santana went on to shut the Orioles out from there through the 6th inning. The game was delayed after one out in the 7th. Tim Collins came in after the delay, with the game tied and held the game in check. He walked Adam Jones to lead off the 8th, then struck out Chris Davis. Yost decided to bring Luke Hochevar into the game. Hochevar promptly threw the ball away in a pick-off attempt allowing Jones to second. He then surrendered another double to Wieters; Jones scored the winning run.
At the Plate
Elliot Johnson and Miguel Tejada subbed for the slumping Chris Getz and Mike Moustakas and both went 2-3. Tejada scored twice. The big blow came when Alex Gordon hit his 4th home run of 2013, driving in 2 after the game resumed in the 7th. Eric Hosmer also added 2 hits.
This and That
Hochevar has now allowed all three runners he has inherited to score. While he needs to perform better in these situations, Manager Ned Yost needs to understand that Hochevar has never performed well with runners on base and should not be putting him in those situations.
There is rain in the forecast for Baltimore tonight. This is the Royals’ only trip to Baltimore this season. Every effort will be made to play the game.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
This is like an old record – it’s Alex Gordon again. This is his 5th POG award of the season, which leads the team.
- James Shields – 3
- Alex Gordon – 5
- Wade Davis – 2
- Lorenzo Cain – 2
- Luis Mendoza
- Billy Butler – 2
- Ervin Santana – 3
- Miguel Tejada
- Jeremy Guthrie -3
- Eric Hosmer
- Chris Getz
- Mike Moustakas – 2
- Aaron Crow
The Orioles
Closer Jim Johnson shut the door on his 33rd straight opportunity. Matt Wieters is only hitting .234 but he has driven in 18. Young stud third baseman Manny Machado had 2 hits and is batting .314 with 5 homers, and 21 RBI.
Up Next
If the game is played, Luis Mendoza (0-1, 7.00 ERA) will face Chris Tillman (2-1, 3.63 ERA) at 6:05.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (19-11): Rained out.
Cleveland Indians (16-14): Zach McAllister and 2 relievers shut out the Athletics 1-0 on Tuesday. McAllister surrendered just 5 hits.
Chicago White Sox (13-18): The White Sox were only able to muster one hit in 10 innings against Matt Harvey and the New York Mets, a 7th inning single by Alex Rios. In 7 innings, Sox starter Hector Santiago only allowed 4 hits himself in the 1-0 loss.
Minnesota Twins (14-15): Scott Diamond only gave up 3 hits in 7 shutout innings in beating the Red Sox 6-1. He didn’t walk any and truck out 2. Ryan Doumit hit his first home run of the year.