Royals Recap: Offense Still Absent As The Texas Rangers Win 7-2
By Joel Wagler
It evidently will take a few days to see any positive turn around offensively as a a result of George Brett joining the staff. The Kansas City Royals (22-30) fell to the Texas Rangers (34-20) Friday, only scoring twice. Brett is not, after all, a miracle worker.
May 27, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) gets the out at second base on St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig (21) in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Time is running out for Wade Davis to prove himself as a starter (or at least, time would be running out for any team but the Royals) with Danny Duffy rehabbing in AA. Davis, at times, looked terrific against the Rangers, striking out 8 in his 5 plus innings. The problem is, that to be successful, like every other pitcher, Davis must locate and be consistent; he struggles with both. He allowed 6 runs on 10 Friday, although he should not have been sent out in the 6th, where the Rangers got 2 extra hits, in which the bullpen failed to strand. His defense didn’t help in much in a couple of cases either. Still, Davis must get his ERA closer to 5 if he has a chance to hold his rotation spot much past the All-Star break.
At the Plate
Very little change on this front. The Royals did get one extra base hit, a double by Adam Moore, of all people. Alcides Escobar had a couple good swings, banging out 2 hits. Chris Getz also squeaked out a couple of base hits.
This and That
Duffy has made two starts in AA, going a total of 6.2 innings, allowing 2 runs, 7 hits, and 3 walks. He has struck out 9.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
Alcides Escobar’s swing looked as good as it has for a few weeks. His two hits and 1 RBI get him the nod, with few challengers.
- James Shields – 5
- Alex Gordon – 9
- Wade Davis – 2
- Lorenzo Cain – 4
- Luis Mendoza – 2
- Billy Butler – 5
- Ervin Santana – 3
- Miguel Tejada – 3
- Jeremy Guthrie -3
- Eric Hosmer
- Chris Getz
- Mike Moustakas – 3
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson
- David Lough – 2
- Alcides Escobar – 2
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
The Rangers
Adrian Beltre went 4-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI against the Royals. Derek Holland was just as brilliant on the mound, holding KC to 1 earned run on 8 hits and he struck out 8.
Up Next
James Shields (2-6, 2.96 ERA) will try to tame the Rangers on Saturday. The offense will try to get healthy against rookie Nick Tepesch (3-4, 3.88 ERA) at 3:05.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (29-24): Jose Valverde fell apart to the tune of allowing 4 runs in the 9th, including 2 home runs, while blowing a save and losing to the Orioles 7-5. Unsurprisingly, Miguel Cabrera homered.
Cleveland Indians (29-25): The Indians scored 2 runs on just 1 lone hit against the Rays Friday, while giving up 9.
Chicago White Sox (24-28): Despite a decent start by Dylan Axelrod, the Sox were shutout, 3-0, by the Athletics. Axelrod went 7 strong frames, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. He struck out 7.
Minnesota Twins (23-29): The Twins loss made it a clean sweep. All AL Central teams lost on Friday. The Twins were unable to score against the Mariners, falling 3-0, despite 3 hits by Pedro Florimon.