Royals Recap: Butler Gets 3 Hits In 5-3 Loss To Boston

It is a crazy phenomenon when Kansas City Royals (60-54)  fans are expecting their team to win every night and are disappointed when they don’t. It is a great feeling but unfortunately, this is baseball and losses are inevitable. Such was the case on Saturday as the Royals fell 5-3 to the Boston Red Sox (71-48).

Aug 9, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) connects for a single in the fifth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Jeremy Guthrie was not sharp on this night as he fell behind good, patient hitters all night. He need 123 pitches to get through 6 innings in which he allowed 5 runs on 10 hits and 1 walk. He did strike out 5. As with the night before, the defense made some mistakes that cost Guthrie pitches and runs. Miguel Tejada over ran a foul ball pop up by five feet and Justin Maxwell hustled but missed a ball in right.

As usual, the bullpen shut things down at the end of the game. Luke Hochevar let a couple of runners on but pitched out of it in the 7th, and Donnie Joseph pitched 2 scoreless innings.

At the Plate

Eric Hosmer (2 hits) and Billy Butler (3 hits) provided half the team’s hits and each scored once and drove one in. The rest of the team struggled through out the night.

The only time Kansas City was able to string anything together was in the 5th. Alcides Escobar singled, and Hosmer and Butler doubled, each driving in a run. Alex Gordon followed with another single, Maxwell struck out. Tejada finally got a base hit (he left 5 on base his first two at bats) and drove in the the final run. Mike Moustakas popped weakly to short stop and Brett Hayes struck out to end the threat.

This and That

Eric Hosmer has had multiple hits in 7 or his last 8 games and is batting .299 on the season.

Two of Billy Butler’s three hits were doubles.

Miguel Tejada left the game with a strained calf in top of the seventh. No word as yet as to how serious the injury is.

The Royals had plenty of chances to score as they left 10 on base for the game, including the 5 total left on base by Tejada in the first and third innings.

Lorenzo Cain was placed on the DL with a strained oblique muscle.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Billy Butler led the offense with his 3 hits and 2 runs produced. It is Butler’s 9th POG of the season. Eric Hosmer gets honorable mention.

Aug 9, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) celebrates after a two run double in the sixth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 9
• Alex Gordon – 13
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 9
• Ervin Santana – 8
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -5
• Eric Hosmer – 11
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas – 6
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
  
• David Lough – 8
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 3
• Salvador Perez – 4
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen
• Justin Maxwell – 2
  

The Red Sox

When Kansas City started to make good contact in the fifth, Manager John Farrell didn’t wait long to pull starter Felix Doubrant, who ended up getting touched for all 3 runs in just 4 innings as he didn’t record an out in the fifth.

Jacoby Ellsbury was a thorn in the side of the Royals all night, going 4-5 with 2 batted in. Mike Carp and Will Middlebrooks each added 2 hits to the cause.

Up Next

James Shields (6-8, 3.36 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Royals Sunday at 1:10 as the Royals try to win the game outright. John Lackey (7-9, 3.21 ERA) will for Boston.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (69-46): The Tigers got right back to winning after their 12-game streak ended Friday. Anibal Sanchez pitched 7 strong innings as his offense pounded out 17 hits in the 9-3 win over the Yankees. Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera, and Don Kelly each had 3 hits and 3 other s had 2.

Cleveland Indians (62-55): The Indians dropped their 7th in a row in 7-2 loss to the Angels. Yan Gomes went 2-3 with 2 RBI in the loss. Ubaldo Jimenez gave up 3 runs (1 unearned) in 6.1 innings, The bullpen gave up 4 runs (1 unearned) 2.3 frames.

Minnesota Twins (51-63): Justin Morneau hit another home run and drove in three in 5-4 loss to the White Sox. Morneau has hit 6 home runs in August, after he was unwanted by anyone at the trade deadline.

Chicago White Sox (44-71): Jordan Danks hit a home run and scored twice in the White Sox’ win over the Twins. Rookie Andre Rienzo was touched up for 4 runs on 7 hits and 5 walks in just 5.1 innings. Addison Reed saved his 28th game.