Royals Recap: Gordon Hurt, Hosmer Homers in 6-5 Win Vs. Indians

There will be some anxious fans, players, and  front office personnel for the Kansas City Royals (39-42) today until more detailed tests are performed on Alex Gordon. The Royals left fielder was injured Wednesday night in a rain delayed 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians (45-39).

June 23, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) rounds second base against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

In the sixth, with 2 on and no outs, Indian second baseman, Jason Kipnis, hit a fly ball deep to left field. Gordon floated back but misplayed the ball slightly at the wall, and e turned awkwardly as the ball came down behind him. The ball bounced off his glove and Gordon came down hard, his head snapping off the padding on the fence. As Kipnis circled the bases, Gordon laid on his back on the warning track. The team is calling it a hip injury but Gordon will undergo further analysis on Thursday.

On the Mound

Thursday was a perfect example of Ned Yost not being able to accurately gauge his pitchers. Jeremy Guthrie had pitched 5 scoreless innings to start the ball game, allowing only 2 hits and a walk. In the sixth, Guthrie quickly surrendered two singles and Kipnis’ inside-the-park home run. Guthrie retired the next three batters to end the inning but probably should have been pulled at the end of the of the 6th inning.

Instead, in the 7th, he struck out Mark Reynolds but walked the next two hitters before it finally dawned on Yost that Guthrie should be out of the game. Will Smith relieved Guthrie and promptly served a single up the middle, scoring one of the base runners and setting the other up to driven in via a sacrifice fly. Smith did not allow any runs of his own.

At the Plate

Eric Hosmer‘s home run in the 7th answered the Indians rally and put the Royals ahead for good. Hosmer was also involved in the Royals big inning in the 6th when he singled and scored. Gordon had 2 hits and a run scored before leaving the contest with his injury, and Salvador Perez and Miguel Tejada each had two knocks for the Royals.

This and That

The game marked the exact halfway point for the Royals. who are 3 games under .500 after 81 outings. It is easy to imagine Kansas City going 42-39 in the second half but they would have to go 48-33 in the second half to win 87 games and be in the hunt for a divisional title. That’s seems a much steeper task.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Hosmer’s game winning home run stood out in this game. Guthrie looked terrific early in the game but appeared to tire or lose focus after the fifth. His meltdown cost him a chance at the KCK POG.

• James Shields – 7
• Alex Gordon – 11
  
• Wade Davis – 4
• Lorenzo Cain – 5
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 6
• Ervin Santana – 6
• Miguel Tejada – 3
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -3
• Eric Hosmer – 8
  
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas – 3
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 2
  
• David Lough – 5
• Alcides Escobar – 3
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen
• Salvador Perez – 4
• Will Smith

The Indians

Jason Kipnis, who was named AL Player of the Month for June, showed the appropriate amount of concern and good sportsmanship when he realized Gordon was hurt. He was met at home plate by excited teammates, but after just a few congratulatory slaps, he quickly pointed to the outfield and settled down. He stood next to Salvador Perez for a few moments with a concerned look on his face. When some movement was evident from Gordon, Kipnis returned to his dugout where he accepted subdued high fives. Over the past few years, the Royals have had their issues with the behavior of some of the Indians, namely Chris Perez and Carlos Carrasco, but Kipnis reacted correctly.

And he deserved the Player of the Month recognition, by the way. He went 39-93 (.419), with 4 home runs, 17 runs, and 25 RBI. He also pounded out 12 double and 1 triple, stole 9 bases, and just for good measure, walked 30 times, just in June. (Except for the average, it looks a little bit like Chris Getz‘ career.)

Up Next

The boys may be a bit tired after their late game last night. They play at 1:10 today and James Shields (3-6, 2.99 ERA) will take on Ubaldo Jimenez (6-4, 4.63 ERA) at the “K”.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (45-38): The Tigers reclaimed the AL Central lead behind the 13th straight victory by former Missouri Tiger Max Scherzer. Victor Martinez homered in the 6-2 win, scoring twice and driving in 2.

Minnesota Twins (36-45): The Twins fell to 8 back when they dropped a close one to the Yankees, 3-2. P.J. Walters allowed all three runs in the 6th inning after going 5 scoreless prior (sound familiar?). Trevor Plouffe homered for the Twins.

Chicago White Sox (33-48): The Sox continued to struggle scoring runs. They fell to the Orioles 4-2. Their 2 runs were produced on 9 hits.