A big night from third baseman Mike Moustakassparked the Kansas City Royals (52-51) to a 7-2 thrashing of the Minnesota Twins (45-58). The Royals have extended their present winning streak to seven games.
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Ervin Santana weaved his magic once again. In 7 stellar innings, he allowed just 2 runs on only 4 hits. He struck out 8 and walked one. Santana is 3-0 since the All-Star break, and only has 11 more scheduled starts for the Royals this season, if he isn’t traded today. He won’t be.
The bullpen continued to shine, pitching 2 more scoreless innings to finish off the Twins.
At the Plate
The Royals banged out 12 hits in the contest and the hitting star was Mike Moustakas. The erstwhile slugger came alive, going 2-3 with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI, and a walk. Moose raised his average to .224 and his 4 batted in was 20% of all the RBI he had going into the game – for the season.
Eric Hosmer added a 3-hit game to the cause, and Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez, Miguel Tejada each pitched in with 2 hits.
This and That
The 7-game winning streak is the Royals first in nearly 2 years.
This is the first time the Royals have been over .500 in July since 2003.
The Royals’ bullpen leads the American League in ERA with a mark of 2.93.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
The positive outing by Mike Moustakas makes this one of the easier choices of the season. Two home runs equals a KCKPOG!
- 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 – 5
- 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 Twins
The Royals were patient and they were able to chase the Twins starter, Mike Pelfrey, after four innings. Pelfrey surrendered 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. He did strike out 4 as well. Joe Mauer had two hits but the rest of the team only managed 3 against the Royals’ staff.
Up Next
Jeremy Guthrie (10-7, 4.27 ERA) will try to keep the ball rolling as he faces off against what serves as an ace for the Twins, Kevin Correia (7-7, 4.56 ERA) at 7:10.
AL Central Notes
The Tigers are working on a 4-game winning streak, and the Indians have 6-game streak of the own. The Royals have been unable to cut into their deficit during their own hot streak. They remain 7 games behind Detroit.
Detroit Tigers (60-45): Anibal Sanchez allowed a run in the first against the Nationals but held them scoreless for the next 6 innings. He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks in the 5-1 win. Alex Avila pounded out a grand slam in the contest.
Cleveland Indians (58-48): The Indians trailed going into the bottom of the 8th but came charging back, scoring 4 runs to extend their own streak to 6 games. The bullpen combined for 4 scoreless, 2-hit innings to keep Cleveland in the game. Yan Gomes drove in 3 on the night.
Chicago White Sox (40-64): During their 7-4 loss to the Indians, Jake Peavy had to say good-bye to his teammates. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox and into the limelight of a stiff divisional race. The White Sox get Avisail Garcia from Detroit in the 3-team deal, plus 3 other prospects.