Royals Recap: SWEEP! 5-Game Winning Streak! Fires Of Hell Frozen!
By Joel Wagler
The Kansas City Royals (28-32) extended their current winning streak to 5 games on Sunday when they completed a weekend series sweep of the Houston Astros (22-42) in a pitchers’ duel. The 2-0 victory is nice but don’t think the Royals’ hitting woes are behind them because when you have 3 hitters who play relatively regularly that bat under .212, offense is not going to come easily.
Jun 4, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Luis Mendoza (39) hands the ball to manager Ned Yost (3) as he is relieved in the fifth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Luis Mendoza was outstanding and deserved more than a no decision. In 7 shutout innings, he allowed just 4 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 3. There is zero flash to Luis Mendoza but he has become a very serviceable end-of-the-rotation starter.
At the Plate
There was very little offense for the Royals on Sunday. In the first 7 innings, Kansas City only mustered 2 hits, both by Salvador Perez. In the 8th, the Royals banged out four hits in a row and tallied the two runs that won the game. Perez ended up going 3-4 on the day.
This and That
The Royals’ 5-game winning streak is the club’s longest since winning 7 straight in September of 2011.
Salvador Perez is now leading the team batting average at .320.
The Royals have slipped into third place in the division.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
Luis Mendoza’s outstanding outing gets him the nod over Salvador Perez and his three hits.
- James Shields – 6
- Alex Gordon – 9
- Wade Davis – 2
- Lorenzo Cain – 4
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 5
- Ervin Santana – 4
- Miguel Tejada – 3
- Jeremy Guthrie -3
- Eric Hosmer – 3
- 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 Astros
Houston manager removed Astro starter Lucas Harrell despite the fact the Royals only had 2 hits against him through seven. He had thrown 99 pitches. Houston only had 5 hits on Sunday with no one getting more than 1 for the second game in a row.
Up Next
Big, big series for the Royals if they really want to contend in the Central. Jeremy Guthrie (6-3, 3.66 ERA) takes on Doug Fister (5-3, 3.27 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers at 7:10. The Royals need to win 2 of these next three games.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (35-26): The Tigers completed a sweep of the Indians with a 4-1 win. Jose Alvarez made his MLB debut for Detroit, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits over 6 frames.
Cleveland Indians (30-32): Justin Masterson was not able to contain the Tiger offensive firepower enough to win the ball game. He gave up 4 runs in 7 innings. His offense only scraped together 6 hits in support as the Indians were swept by the Tigers.
Chicago White Sox (27-34): Tyler Flowers hit another home run, his 6th, and Alex Rios added his 11th to lead the Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Athletics. Hector Santiago earned the win, his 2nd.
Minnesota Twins (27-33): The Twins scored 4 early against the Nationals but could not tally anymore as Washington came back with a single run in the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings, to win 5-4. Pedro Florimon hit his 3rd home run of the season in the loss.