Despite stranding 5 base runners in the last 2 innings Saturday afternoon, the Kansas City Royals (41-43) were able to pull off a late comeback for the 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics (51-37).
Apr 28, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder
Jarrod Dyson(1) singles in a run against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Ervin Santana again pitched well enough for the victory if his team could have drummed up a little more offense earlier in the game. He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks over 7 innings. He struck out 5. Aaron Crow struck out 2 in a scoreless eighth and Greg Holland fanned the side to log his 20th save.
At the Plate
Jarrod Dyson was the spark plug in three of the innings in which the Royals scored. In the third, Dyson singled to lead off the inning, stole second, and created enough havoc to cause Athletics’ starter Jarrod Parker to commit an error trying to pick him off. He later scored on a Billy Butler ground ball. In the 7th, Dyson walked after an Elliot Johnson single, and helped load the bases. In the 8th, Dyson had the game winning, bases loaded single when he bounced one up the middle. It was fielded but with Dyson’s speed, shortstop Adam Rosales did not have a throw, scoring pinch runner Alcides Escobar.
Mike Moustakas hit his 6th home run of the season in the 3rd inning, accounting for the other Royals’ run.
This and That
Since beginning the 2012 season with a 40-42 record (same as the Royals’ record this season through 82 games), the A’s are 105-63 (.625). They won the AL West with a 94-68 mark.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
Dyson went 3-3 with a runs scored, an RBI, and a walk to provide the offensive spark, and to get the KCK POG nod.
- James Shields – 7
- Alex Gordon – 11
- Wade Davis – 4
- Lorenzo Cain – 6
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 6
- Ervin Santana – 6
- Miguel Tejada – 3
- Jeremy Guthrie -3
- Eric Hosmer – 9
- Chris Getz
- Mike Moustakas – 3
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson – 3
- David Lough – 5
- Alcides Escobar – 3
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
- Bruce Chen
- Salvador Perez – 4
- Will Smith
The Athletics
Josh Donaldson went 2-3 with his 15 round tripper, 2 runs, 2 RBI, and a walk in the loss. The Athletics committed 3 errors on the day, leading to 2 unearned runs. Six walks from their pitching staff didn’t help things much either.
Up Next
The series wraps up Sunday at 1:10 when Luis Mendoza (2-4, 4.41 ERA) will face off against A.J. Griffin (6-6, 3.95 ERA).
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (48-38): Torii Hunter went 3-5 with a home run, a run scored, and 3 RBI in a 9-4 win over the Indians. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder also homered on the day. Anibal Sanchez allowed just one run on 3 hits and 1 walk in 5 innings of work to get his 7th victory.
Cleveland Indians (45-42): The Indians lost their 4th game in a row, the third against the Tigers, despite home runs from Nick Swisher and Ryan Raburn. Carlos Carrasco‘s ERA has been elevated to 9.10 after giving up 6 earned runs in 3.1 innings on 10 hits.
Minnesota Twins (34-47): Mike Pelfrey, fresh off the DL, logged 6 scoreless frames of 3-hit ball in Minnesota’s 6-0 win over the Blue Jays. If the Twins can’t turn things around in a hurry, Pelfrey might just become trade bait. Brian Dozier homered in the win.
Chicago White Sox (34-50): Chris Sale continues to get no run support as the White Sox were shutout 3-0 by the Rays. Four players mustered 6 hits on the night. Sale allowed 3 runs (1 unearned) in 7 innings and scattered just 6 hits. He struck out 9 and only walked one to no avail.