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Royals Recap: Salvdor Perez, David Lough Come Through; Losing Streak Snapped

By Joel Wagler

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The Kansas City Royals (24-32) finally ended their franchise record 11-game home losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins (26-30) Wednesday night. It wasn’t an offensive outburst by any means but it does equal the most runs the Royals have scored in a single game since May 21, fifteen games ago.

Jun 5, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) drives in a run with a double in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

It looked like it was going to be an awful night for Jeremy Guthrie. In the first, he walked 3 and gave up a hit. Luckily, only one run scored and Guthrie bounced back to make that lone run stand. Over the next five innings, he didn’t walked another batter and allowed just 5 more hits. He struck out 4 on the night. Four relievers finished out the game, including Kelvin Herrera’s return to the mound for the Royals. He pitched a perfect 8th inning.

At the Plate

The Royals didn’t wow anyone with their bats, only generating 8 hits, but they did  walk 5 times. Billy Butler produced 3 hits, including one of the infield variety, and he walked once. Salvador Perez, batting third, singled in the tying run in the bottom of the first, and David Lough followed that up with a 2-RBI double later in the inning.

This and That

Last night, two team, the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies, each hit 6 home runs. One player, the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez, blasted 3  himself. The Royals have hit three in their last 16 games as a team. Brett Gardner, the speedy lead off hitter for the Yankees, who only has 21 home runs in his career 1,612 career at bats, would lead the Royals this season with his 6 round trippers. Rookie Dodger Yasiel Puig, in just his second major league game Tuesday, hit two. Why is this so hard for the Royals’ hitters?

This team was not supposed to be the team to break the record for most home losses in a row. The fact that the record was set last year at 10 games, and was broken this year, by this team, is so very disappointing. How does Ned Yost still have a job?

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

At least last night there were some legitimate candidates for the POG. Butler reached based 4 times, Lough with 2 hits and 2 RBI. Guthrie with another gutsy performance. I’m going with Salvador Perez, who in his first game from bereavement, went 2-3 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a RBI. Surprisingly, it is Perez’s first POG of the season.

The Twins

P.J. Walters took the loss but the 3 runs he allowed were unearned. The Twins had 8 hits as well but they were just unable to string enough together to score, something that has ailed the Royals of late.

Up Next

Wade Davis (3-5, 6.16 ERA) continues his quest to find consistency as a starter against Mike Pelfrey (3-6, 6.66 ERA), who also is in search of steady performances start to start.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (31-26): The Tigers were shutout by the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-0. Doug Fister was the hard luck pitcher of record.

Cleveland Indians (30-29): Cory Kluber was knocked around early against the Yankees, allowed 6 runs (2 unearned) in the first 2 innings. Cleveland was unable to fight all the way back, losing 6-4. Yan Gomes hit his 6th homer of the year (in just 82 at bats).

Chicago White Sox (25-32): What a strange game for the Sox. They and the Mariners played 13 scoreless frames on Wednesday before the Sox scored 5 in the 14th. Addison Reed, who has been lights out for Chicago this season, then surrendered 5 in the bottom of the 14th. The Sox eventually won it in the 16th, 7-5. Alex Rios had 4 hits and Adam Dunn was 0-4 with 4 walks.

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