Royals Recap: Miguel Tejada Provides Pop; Bullpen & Offense Falter
By Joel Wagler
Things just aren’t working for the Kansas City Royals (21-24) as they dropped another game to the Los Angeles Angels (21-27) on Friday night 5-2. Dayton Moore seems to be a deer in the headlights as he stands still, frozen, unable to avert the rapidly approaching disaster that is the Royals 2013 season. Moore is like a very bad poker player – standing pat, bluffing a very bad hand.
May 24, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Miguel Tejada (24) fields a ground ball in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. The Angels won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Luis Mendoza gutted out a solid performance by allowing just one run. He did pitch out of trouble several times, backed by some terrific defensive plays. The only run scored on a rare passed ball by catcher Salvador Perez. Perez retrieved the ball quickly but the fleet footed Mike Trout slid in safely a blink before Mendoza dropped the tag. Mendoza appeared to be shaken up a bit but stayed in the game. He turned over a 2-1 lead to the bullpen, who promptly gave it away. Luke Hochevar and Aaron Crow each pitched one horrible inning, each allowing 2 runs on two hits and a walk.
At the Plate
Now that Alex Gordon is sputtering just a bit the last couple of games and Billy Butler can’t pull himself out of the funk he is in, the Royals’ offense is even less threatening than it has been. Miguel Tejada homered for the second time in as many spot starts and Lorenzo Cain had 2 hits and scored the other run as the team only managed 6 base knocks all night.
This and That
The Royals have now dropped 14 of their last 18 as their free fall continues. The White Sox have passed them in the AL Central standings. The Royals are currently 4th. Oh well, April was fun.
In those last 18 games, Kansas City has scored 69 runs (3.8 per game), but only 36 in the 14 losses (2 per game). The Royals have only been outscored by 7 runs total in those 18 games and only allowed more than 6 runs once. The offense has only scored more than 3 runs in 11 of the14 losses.
Note to Dayton Moore – I think I speak for all fans – DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS OFFENSE!!!
Danny Duffy gets his first rehab start today. He is slated for 60 pitches.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
A rare home run from a corner infielder deserve a POG award. Way to go, Miguel Tejada. I will admit right now that I was wrong not wanting you on the team.
- James Shields – 5
- Alex Gordon – 9
- Wade Davis – 2
- Lorenzo Cain – 4
- Luis Mendoza
- Billy Butler – 4
- Ervin Santana – 3
- Miguel Tejada – 3
- Jeremy Guthrie -3
- Eric Hosmer
- Chris Getz
- Mike Moustakas – 3
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson
- David Lough
- Alcides Escobar
The Angels
LA has to be thrilled with how Jason Vargas has been pitching of late. Last night, he went 7.1 innings, giving up just 2 runs on 5 hits. His control was off as he walked 4 and only struck out 2. Vargas hasn’t lost since dropping a complete game, 2-1 decision on April 28th.
Up Next
Jeremy Guthrie (5-2, 3.49) will try to stop the bleeding, for both his team and himself, as tries to recover from a personal 2-game losing streak. He has to find a way to keep the ball in the park against these hard hitting Angels. He matches up against former Royal Billy Buckner, making his debut with the Angels today at 1:10.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (27-19): The Tigers are back in first place in the decision. Anibal Sanchez was brilliant Friday night as he pitch 8.1 innings of no hit ball before Joe Mauer broke up his bid with 1 out in the 9th. Sanchez got the next 2 batters to finish the gem. Don Kelly provided the offense with a 2-run home run.
Cleveland Indians (29-20): Justin Masterson had one of his worst starts of the year as he surrendered 5 runs in 6 innings Friday. His ERA still sparkles at 3.20
Minnesota Twins (18-27): If it weren’t for Mauer’s 9th inning hit, the Twins would have been no-hit on Friday. The Twins are the only team playing worse than the Royals right now as they have dropped 10 in a row. Pitching is usually the issue, Friday’s game notwithstanding, in Minnesota as they have given up 6.4 runs a game during the streak.
Chicago White Sox (22-24): The White Sox surged into third place in the division with a 4-3 win over the Marlins on Friday. Paul Konerko had 3 hits and a RBI. John Danks made his season debut allowing 3 runs on just 4 hits in 6 encouraging innings.