Royals Recap: Gordon’s Home Run Wins It In The 12th; Sweep!

Alex Gordonwas 0-5 with 2 strikeouts when he stepped to the plate with one on in a tie ball game in the 12th inning Sunday afternoon. One big swing later, Gordon avoided the dreaded 0-6 day, and  the Kansas City Royals (51-51) were on their way to a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox (40-62). The victory also sealed a series sweep for the Royals.

Jul 19, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) connects for a single in the first inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Bruce Chen once again did as much as possible to keep the Royals in the contest until his offense could drum up some production. He went 6 big innings, giving up 2 runs on just 3 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 5 on the day.

Five relievers combined for 6 scoreless frames in which they allowed only 4 hits and no walks, including 2 terrific perfect innings from Luke Hochevar, who has lowed his ERA to 1.80.

Aaron Crow got his 7 win and Greg Holland his 27th save.

At the Plate

The Royals offense was once again lucky to have scored enough runs to win. Eight hits and 4 walks is all Kansas City could scrape together over 12 innings. Only Miguel Tejada and Jarrod Dyson had 2 hits. Gordon’s big game winning homer in the 12th was his 10th on the season and raised his RBI total to 53.

The Royals left 9 men on base.

This and That

This was the first time since 1999 the Royals have swept a series in Chicago.

This is the latest point in the season the Royals have been at .500 since 2003.

Kansas City is 7-1 in extra inning games this season.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

It is not often a player will get the POG on a 1-6 afternoon, unless that 1 hit is a 12th innings 2-run ding dong! Honorable mention to Jarrod Dyson, not only for his 2 hits, but also for his game saving throw to home plate that nailed Blake Tekotte on an Alejandro De Azasingle in the bottom of the 10th. That assist ended the game. Bruce Chen also did a great job on the day.

April 14, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson (1) reacts after stealing second base against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 9
• Alex Gordon – 12
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 7
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 8
• Ervin Santana – 7
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -4
• Eric Hosmer – 10
  
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas – 4
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
  
• David Lough – 7
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 2
• Salvador Perez – 4
• Will Smith
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman
• Bruce Chen

The White Sox

Hector Santiago pitched pretty well. He surrendered just 2 runs on just 5 hits. He did walk 4 but he struck out 7 in 6.2 innings.

Look for a number of the present White Sox to be playing elsewhere by the end of the week. Several trade rumors surround Jake Peavy, Alex Rios, and Alex Ramirez as Chicago falls 22 games under .500.

Up Next

The Royals are off today as they head to Minneapolis to take on the Twins for 3 games.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (59-45): The Tigers completed their own sweep of the Phillies by crushing them 12-4 on Sunday. Jhonny Peralta had a grand slam. Rick Porcello earned the win, giving up just 3 runs in 6 innings.

Cleveland Indians (56-48): The Indians also enjoyed a weekend sweep as they took out the Rangers 6-0 on Sunday, the second straight game the Indians shut out the Rangers. Ubaldo Jimenez went 8 scoreless, 2-hit frames for the Tribe. Mike Aviles homered.

Minnesota Twins (45-57): Rookie Kyle Gibson got rocked for 5 runs in 5 innings in a 6-4 loss to the Mariners. Ryan Doumit was 2-2 with 2 runs and 2 walks, while Chris Colabello was 2-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI in the loss.