Royals Recap: Lough Gets 3 Hits; Streak Reaches 8

Well, at least the Kansas City Royals (53-51) aren’t losing ground in the AL Central. They pushed their winning streak to 8 games with a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins 45-59) Wednesday night. Both Detroit and Cleveland won again, keeping the Royals 7 games behind the Tigers and 5.5 back of the Indians.

Jul 14, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder David Lough (7) is congratulated after scoring in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

It was a normal workman-like outing for Jeremy Guthrie. Nothing flashy or overwhelming about his performance at all. He allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 5 in 6 innings. It was his 11th win on the season.

Kelvin Herrera struggled in his appearance. He only recorded 1 out while giving up 3 hits. Aaron Crow bailed him out and Greg Holland closed out the game for his 28th save.

At the Plate

David Lough toiled in the minors for 7 seven years, finally getting his cup of coffee – 20 games in 2012. He began this season in AAA once again, but when he was called up, he has made the very most of of his opportunity to play in the majors on a regular basis. After his 3 hits last night, including a hustle double which led to him scoring one batter later, Lough is now hitting .300 in 219 plate appearances. He makes it very easy to pull for him.

Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas each produced 2 hits in the game. Billy Butler drove in 2.

This and That

The Royals had 13 hits on the night, ran into 3 outs on the base paths, hit into 2 double plays, and still left 7 on base.

Eleven wins matches Jeremy Guthrie’s career high. He won 11 in 2010 while with Baltimore.

Dayton Moore must have slept in for most of the MLB Trade Deadline day. He only added the ill-fitting outfielder Justin Maxwell. Kyle Smith went to the Astros in the deal.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Lough’s 3 hits and spark plug play earned him the POG for this game.

• 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 – 8
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 2
• Salvador Perez – 4
• Will Smith
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman
• Bruce Chen

The Twins

Chris Herrmann made a terrific throw from right field to nail Eric Hosmer at third. Billy Butler hit a sacrifice fly to medium depth in right, driving in  Alex Gordon. Eric Hosmer tagged up at second, and Herrmann made a perfect throw, which reached Trevor Plouffe on the fly, and was waiting on Hosmer to arrive.

Kevin Correia flirted with danger all evening. He allowed 10 hits in his 6 innings but only 2 runs crossed the plate against him. Fortunately, he did not walk any batters.

Up Next

James Shields (5-7, 3.09) takes the bump at 12:10 as he tries to secure the Royals’ second straight road series sweep, and to extend the Royals streak to 9. He faces Scott Diamond (5-9, 5.26 ERA).

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (61-45): The Tigers just crushed Gio Gonzalez and the Washington Nationals in a 11-1 win. Torii Hunter was a juggernaut, going 4-5 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI. Justin Verlander went 6, surrendering just the one run.

Cleveland Indians (59-48): Not willing to lose a game in the standings, the Indians scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the White Sox, then won the game in the 10th on a Carlos Santana walk-off. Michael Brantley pitched in with 3 hits and 2 runs produced.

Chicago White Sox (40-65): The White Sox continue to reel. Closer Addison Reed surrendered the lead by allowing 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th against the Indians. The Sox eventually lost the game in the 10th. It was Chicago’s 6th straight loss.