Royals Recap: Lorenzo Cain Tops Off Win With A Big Blast

The Kansas City Royals (25-32) won an important game within the division by outscoring the Minnesota Twins (26-31) by a score of 7-3 Thursday night. The victory sewed up the series for the Royals and they won back-to-back games for the first time since winning four in a row April 30-May 5.

Jun 4, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain 6 connects for a double in the seventh inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

First inning struggles by the Royals defense and Wade Davis led to 3 unearned runs but Davis settled down and only gave up 4 hits total in his 5 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 6. Davis again had stretches of brilliance mixed in with control problems. Inconsistency and pitch efficiency  are two major items in which Davis needs to improve on to be a viable starter. Luke Hochevar, Tim Collins, and Greg Holland shut the Twins down for the last four innings to secure the victory.

At the Plate

Lorenzo Cain got the Royals out of their home run funk, for one game at least, by blasting a 2-run round tripper in the 8th to ice the game. Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler each had two hits, and every Royal in the line up got at least one hit, with the lone exception being Alcides Escobar.

The Royals scored 4 runs in the 8th. They had not scored more than 4 runs in any single game since may 21.

This and That

With the 8th overall pick in the amateur draft Thursday, the Royals stretched for college shortstop Hunter Dozier. Click here for a little info on the latest 1st round pick for the organization.

With the 34th overall pick, the Royals may have redeemed themselves a bit for their over reaching for Dozier by selecting LHP Sean Manaea, from Indian St. Some thought he was a top 5 talent before he succumbed to a hip injury. Click here for more info on Manaea.

With the 46th overall pick, the Royals selected LHP Cody Reed. Click here for the lowdown on Reed.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Lorenzo Cain’s home run, while not that important as to the probable outcome of the game, was big for Cain, and the team as a whole,  mentally. Their lack of power had to be weighing heavily. It was nice to see a Royal hit a home run.

• James Shields – 6
• Alex Gordon – 9
  
• Wade Davis – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 5
• Luis Mendoza – 2
• Billy Butler – 5
• Ervin Santana – 4
• Miguel Tejada – 3
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -3
• Eric Hosmer
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas – 3
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson
• David Lough – 3
• Alcides Escobar – 2
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen
• Salvador Perez

The Twins

Ryan Doumit made the Royals and Davis pay for their miscues when he homed off Davis in the first. It was the only hit in the frame although the Twins did score 3. They only managed four hits the rest of the game. Minnesota is still in third in the AL Central, leading the White Sox by a half game and the Royals by one game.

Up Next

The Houston Astros come to town Friday as the Royals look to avenge a series loss in Houston a few weeks ago. Ace James Shields (2-6, 2.83 ERA) looks for some run support as he faces off against Jordan Lyles (3-1, 4.30 ERA).

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (32-26): Miguel Cabrera went 3-4 with a run and a RBI, plus a stolen base. Victor Martinez hit his 4th homer on the season in the 5-2 win over the Rays. Max Scherzer struck out 9 in 7 innings while giving up just one run.

Cleveland Indians (30-29): The Indians were off Thursday.

Chicago White Sox (25-33): Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios had multiple hits and Alex Ramirez knocked in 2 in the 5-4 loss to the Athletics.