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Royals Recap: Salvador Perez Goes Deep: James Shields Get No Decision In Win

By Joel Wagler

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Adequate hitting and stellar pitching was to be the recipe for a successful 2013 season for the Kansas City Royals (26-32) in 2013. Half of those two ingredients have been missing for a month but have reappeared in the last 3 games, including Friday night’s 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros (22-40).

Jun 7, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) hits a 2 run home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Once again, James Shields pitched well enough to get the win but he allowed a second run, a tying run, in the 7th, and didn’t get the chance for his 3rd victory. This time, it was wild pitch that put a runner in scoring position that cost Shields. He went 7, only allowing 2 runs despite  giving up 9 hits and 3 walks. He had 6 strikeouts. It was great to see Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland each throw a perfect inning to close out the win.

At the Plate

Just like the game previous, the Royals spread out their offense. Only Alex Gordon and ,again for the second night, Alcides Escobar, were held hitless. Eric Hosmer went 2-4 with 2 runs scored. Salvador Perez went 1-3 with a home run, a run scored, a walk, and 2 RBI. Billy Butler banged out 2 double, his 12th and 13th, with a RBI.

This and That

In his AAA debut Thursday, Yordano Ventura went 5 innings, allowing 1 run on just 1 hit. He walked 4 and struck out 6.

55 AL hitters have more home runs than Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer combined. 166 have more home runs than Hosmer. In other words, there are 15 teams in the American League. Each team has 9 offense regulars for a total of 135 hitters. So, pretty much every regular offensive player in the American League, with the exception of Chris Getz, has more home runs than Hosmer, plus a large number of back-ups, and part time players. That is just peachy!

199 hitters have at least 1 home run in the American League.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Let’s go with Sal Perez and his 2nd home run of the season. His 2-run dinger put the Royals ahead in the 4th.

The Astros

The Royals had trouble getting to Jordan Lyles. They only scored the 2 runs fromPerez’s home run and only got 6 total hits off Lyles. Only lead off hitter Brandon Barnes had more than one hit for the Astros.

Up Next

Ervin Santana (3-5, 3.03 ERA) hopes the Royals offense continues to do at least  just enough for another win. He will face off against veteran lefty Eric Bedard (1-2, 4.76 ERA) at 6:10

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (33-26): The Tigers stretched their lead to 3 1/2 with the victory over the Indians. Victor Martinez went 3-4 with a home run, run scored, and 3 batted in. Jose Valverde continues to struggle. He allowed 2 runs in the 9th on Friday to raise his ERA to 4.30.

Cleveland Indians (30-30): Jason Giambi and Drew Stubbs homered for the Indians in their 7-5 loss.  It is the 6th homer for the 42-year Giambi in just 75 at bats.

Chicago White Sox (25-34): Positions have been shuffling among the bottom three teams in the Central over the past couple of weeks. With the Sox 4-3 loss to the Athletics, the Sox fall to last in the division. They now trail the Royals by a game and a half. Tyler Flowers went 3-3 with a round tripper.

Minnesota Twins (26-31): The Twins were rained out but still maintain a half game advantage on the Royals in the division.

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