Royals Recap: Another James Shields Start Wasted With Poor Offense

At some point, the Royals’ General Manager Dayton Moore is going to have to recognize the fact that the offense needs help. No matter how many improvements Moore makes to the starting rotation, it won’t matter if the offense continually falters. On Saturday, the Kansas City Royals (18-15) fell to the New York Yankees (22-13) by a score of 3-2.

August 05, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (left) with general manager Dayton Moore (right) before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Once again, James Shields deserved better. He went 8 strong innings, giving up 3 runs, only 2 of which were earned. He allowed only 6 hits and 2 walks on the night. In Shields’ 8 starts this season, the Royals have lost 5 of them. In those 5 losses, the Royals have only scored 8 runs total. According to Fangraphs.com, Kansas City has only scored 25 runs this season while Shields has been in the game. Three starts, with proper offensive production, Shields has won. He pitched well enough in the other five games to have won.

At the Plate

Billy Butler hit his 4th home run of the year as he tries to get on track offensively. The Royals only produce 6 hits on the night; only Salvador Perez had two. Again the Royals are having trouble hitting extra base hits and stringing several together.

This and That

The Royals have dropped 4 of their last 5 and fallen to third in the AL Central. They are on a precipice – traditionally, the Royals fall out of relevance at this point, if they hadn’t already. If the Royals are going to compete in 2013, they need to get back on track and quickly.

Mike Moustakas made his 6th error on the season, allowing yet another unearned run.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

James Shields continues to be everything the Royals want him to be yet the Royals hitters continue to fail him.

The Yankees

It is amazing the Yankees lead the AL East with the line-up the run to the plate every night. Other than Robinson Cano, it is filled with a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes. Despite this, they are on the verge of sweeping the Royals in Kaufman. On Saturday, Vernon Wells hit his 9th home run of the year. Andy Pettitte only gave up 2 runs, 5 hits, and 1 walk in 7 innings, and somehow struck out 7. The amazing, 43-year Mariano Rivera saved his 14th game of the season. It was a year ago when it looked like his career was over after hurting his knee shagging flies at the “K”. As a baseball fan, it is great getting him to pitch this last season on his own terms. Just another reason to respect that man as a person and a baseball player. One of the all-time greats!

Up Next

The Royals will try to avoid the sweep by sending out Ervin Santana (3-1, 2.36 ERA) to face Hiroki Kuroda (4-2, 2.30 ERA).

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (20-14): The Tigers fell by a run to the Indians Saturday. Jhonny Peralta homer and scored 2 runs. Justin Verlander was not his usual dominant self, serving up 4 runs (one unearned) on 6 hits and 5 walks in only 5 innings.

Cleveland Indians (19-15): Asdrubal Cabrera had 3 hits and 2 RBI in the 7-6 victory over the Tigers. Michael Bourn, fresh from the DL, had 2 hits. Ubaldo Jimenez only gave up one run on 3 hits in 6 innings.

Minnesota Twins (17-16): Vance Worley got the victory against the Orioles despite serving up 5 runs and 11 hits in 5.1 innings. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer each had 3 hits.

Chicago White Sox (14-20): Dayan Viciedo, just activated from the DL, went 3-3 with a walk in the 3-2 loss to the Angels.

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