Royals Recap: Davis, Getz Return To Lead Team To Victory

When a team sandwiches a a sub par opponent between two of the best teams in the American League, sometimes there is a let down. The Kansas City Royals (62-54) did not let that happen Monday. Stuffed between a 4-game series last weekend against Boston, and a 5-game series with Detroit this weekend, the Miami Marlins (44-73) came calling. The Royals took care of business with a 6-2 win.

Aug 2, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Wade Davis (22) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Wade Davis returned from the bereavement list to go six innings. He allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 3 on the night. A couple of misplays from Royal outfielders may have cost the Royals a run but both runs were earned. Davis looked strong and he was keeping the ball away from the middle of the plate for the most part. The Marlins are not the most fearsome of opponents at the plate but they have some guys who can do damage. Davis managed the game well.

Broken record alert! The bullpen pitched 3 scoreless innings to secure the victory.

At the Plate

The other player to return to the line up was the much maligned Chris Getz. Back from his stint on the DL, Getz went 3-4, stole a base, scored a run, and knocked another one in.

David Lough, Billy Butler, and Alcides Escobar chipped in with 2 hits each. Butler hit his 11th home run of the season, and Justin Maxwell legged out a triple.

This and That

Alex Gordon missed the game due to the birth of his second child, a boy. The plan is to have him back in the line-up today.

Mike Moustakas left the game with a tight left calf. He was replaced by the newest Royal, Jamey Carroll.

The Royals are 19 of 24 since the All-Star break and have won 17 or their last 20 games. It is the first time Kansas City has had such a 20-game stretch since 1980, when the Royals went to the World Series and lost to the Phillies.

The Royals are now in second place of the AL Central, by the slimmest of margins – half a game.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Chris Getzcame up with 3 hits last night, a couple of which were clutch. Getz gets his second POG of the season.

Jun 10, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Chris Getz (17) throws to first base in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 9
• Alex Gordon – 14
  
• 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 – 2
• 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
• Greg Holland

The Marlins

Marlins Tom Koehler held the Royals hitless for the first 3.2 innings Monday before the home team’s offense exploded for 9 hits over the next 1.2 innings. Koehler finished with 5.1 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks. He struck just one batter.

Logan Morrison went 1-3 with 2 walks and scored one of the Marlins runs and drove in the other.

Up Next

The Royals have a test tonight. Even though Miami is not the best offensive team in the majors, they have some exciting young arms. The best of those is Jose Fernandez (8-5, 2.58 ERA). He gives his young team a chance to win every night out. The Royals, behind Bruce Chen (5-0, 1.79), will have to be on their game at the plate for the Royals to win.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (69-48): Despite the 37th home run for Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers, with Doug Fister on the hill, fell to the White Sox, 6-2. The Tigers have a 6.5 game lead over the second place Royals.

Cleveland Indians (63-56): The Tribe dropped a 3-0 decision to the Twins, falling to third in the division. The Indians only mustered 2 hits in the loss.

Minnesota Twins (53-63): Just like he did to the Royals last week, Twins’ starter Andrew Albers baffled Indians hitters for his first career complete game shutout. He allowed just 2 hits in the contest. He struck out 2 without walking a batter. In Albers first two games in the majors, he is 2-0, has pitched 17.1 innings, allowed zero runs, 6 hits, and 1 walk while striking out 4. It isn’t that easy in the majors, folks. Really!

Chicago White Sox (45-72): The Sox stepped up a big behind Chris Sale and took out the Tigers 6-2. Gordon Beckham and Jeff Keppinger each had 3 hits on the night. Chris Sale went the distance for Chicago.

Wild Card Standings

Oakland Athletics (67-50, 0 GB)

Tampa Bay Rays (66-50, .5 GB)

Baltimore Orioles (65-53, 2 GB)

Kansas City Royals (62-54, 4 GB)

Cleveland Indians (63-56, 4.5 GB)

New York Yankees (60-57, 6.5 GB)