Royals Recap: Streak Ends, YOLOugh Homers

June 11, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals player Billy Butler (16) argues a called third strike, after getting thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Jordan Baker (right) during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Detroit won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Wade Davis did everything KC has wanted from him in this outing, going six and two-third innings and shutting down the best offense in the American League by runs scored. Davis allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five. Has he perfect? No, but that’s an excellent start that should result in a win.

At the Plate

David Lough hit is first major league home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the Royals deficit to one. Alcides Escobar singled in Mike Moustakas to tie the game later in the inning. Escobar would be thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double.

Kansas City had a chance to tie it in the ninth after Salvador Perez led off the inning and pinch-runner stole second base to give the Royals a runner on second with nobody out. Billy Butler struck out on a controversial third-strike call by home plate umpire Jordan Baker and was later tossed in the middle of Lorenzo Cain’s at-bat for arguing. Billy, to say the least, was not pleased. Cain and Lough would pop out and ground out respectively to end the game.

This and That

– Lough’s home run was the first by a Royals left-handed batter since Jarrod Dyson homered on May 10 against New York Yankees starter Phil Hughes.

– Salvador is 10-for-26 (.385) with a triple, home run, two walks, seven RBI and seven runs scored in the seven games he has batted third in the lineup.

– Tuesday was just the fourth time in 13 starts Davis where he lasted at least six innings. In those starts he has allowed three runs or less each time and has a record of 1-2.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Davis was excellent and deserved a win Tuesday night. The offense just couldn’t come through for him.

The Tigers

Detroit scattered 11 hits, one extra base hit, and left 10 men on base to manage just three runs. Fortunately enough for them it was enough to win.

Omar Infante was 3-for-4 with a run scored, Victor Martinez drove in and scored a run, and Miguel Cabrera was 1-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and a hit-by-pitch.

Noted Royal killer Torii Hunter was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. I expect he’ll exact his revenge later in the season if not this afternoon.

Up Next

KC finishes up the series against Detroit this afternoon on MLB Network at 1:10 p.m. James Shields will try to out-duel Justin Verlander to clinch the series for the Royals. Verlander is 15-2 with a 2.67 ERA in his career against Kansas City, and has not lost a decision against the Royals since 2009.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (35-27): The Tigers hold first place by 5.5 games over Cleveland and are 6.5 clear of the Royals.

Cleveland Indians (31-33): Corey Kluber allowed one run on six hits over eight innings to lead the Indians over the Texas Rangers, 5-2. Drew Stubbs had two RBI and Matt Reynolds had two hits for Cleveland. A.J. Pierzynski homered for the Rangers.

Chicago White Sox (28-35): Addison Reed allowed a solo home run by Jose Bautista in the ninth to blow his second save of the season. Toronto would push across two in the top of the tenth to take the lead and eventually win the game, 7-5. Adam Dunn and Conor Gillaspie each homered for the Sox.

Minnesota Twins (28-33): Justin Morneau singled in Jamey Carroll in the bottom of the eighth to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. P.J. Walters allowed just one earned run in over seven innings of work but did not get enough run support to earn the decision.

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