Royals Recap: Duffy, Shields, Hosmer, Holland Keys To DH Sweep

Just when you think the end is near, the Kansas City Royals (64-57) sweep a doubleheader on the road against the Detroit Tigers. Behind some terrific pitching, the Royals win the games 2-1 and 3-0.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Game One: It was all about the job Danny Duffy did. After a shaky first inning when Duffy walked 2, he settled down and was frugal the rest of his outing. Over the next five innings, the Tigers only squeezed one more walk and just one hit out of Duffy. In fact, Duffy had and no-hitter intact until there were two outs in the 6th inning, when Miguel Cabrera (who else) scratched out an infield single.

Even if Duffy could have escaped the inning without surrendering a hit, there was little chance Duffy would have returned for the 7th. He threw 96 pitches, and the Royals are going to protect his still rehabbing arm.

Kelvin Herrera pitched a perfect 7th before Aaron Crow gave up a fluke pinch hit home run to Ramon Santiago to lead off the 8th. Greg Holland pitched the 9th to nail down his 33rd save.

Game Two: James Shields went 7 awesome, scoreless innings. He allowed just 3 hits while walking 4. In one of the strangest quirks of the season, Shields only had 1 strikeout. Enough can’t be said about the tenacity and professionalism Shields displays on the mound. Obviously, he didn’t have his greatest stuff yet he held one of the most potent offenses in the majors without a run.

Luke Hochevar was perfect in the 8th and Mr. Greg Holland notched his 34th save, and his second of the day. What a competitor that guy is!

At the Plate

Game One: Billy Butler went 2-3 with a walk but wasn’t involved in the scoring. The two new guys teamed up for a run in the 7th when Justin Maxwell and Emilio Bonifacio hit back-to-back doubles in the 7th. Eric Hosmer hit his 13th homer in the 4th with an opposite field blast.

Game Two: Eric Hosmer was the big hero at the plate with his second homer of the day. He pulled the ball deep over the right field fence with Jamey Carrol on base. Hosmer, David Lough, and the gritty Chris Getz each two hits.

This and That

Eric Hosmer is second in the American League with 46 multiple hit games, one behind Mike Trout.

It was a tough day for Alex Gordon, who went 1-9 on the day, lowering his average to .263. April seems a long time ago when it comes to Gordon’s bat.

On the bright side, at least Chris Getz didn’t lead off in game two. Jamey Carrol had the honors.

The Royals are 5 back in the wild card race.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

In game one, it was all about Danny Duffy. No question the youngster earned his 1st POG nod with his 1-hit six innings. Honorable mention to Maxwell and Bonifacio.

In game two, James Shields blanking the Tigers for 7 is more than worthy.

For the doubleheader, we are awarding additional POG awards to Hosmer for his 2 home runs and Greg Holland for his 2 saves.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 10
• Alex Gordon – 14
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 9
• Ervin Santana – 9
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -5
• Eric Hosmer – 12
• Chris Getz – 3
• Mike Moustakas – 6
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
  
• David Lough – 8
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 4
• Salvador Perez – 4
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland – 2
  
• Danny Duffy

The Tigers

Ramon Santiago’s home run was the only run the Tigers could manage in the 18 innings. It was his first long ball of the year. The Tigers only came up with 6 hits on the day.

It wasn’t like the Detroit pitchers were terrible. They only allowed 5 runs on 15 hits all day. The bullpen didn’t allow an earned run in either game, although Jeremy Bonderman (really, Jeremy Bonderman) threw a ball away trying to pick off Chris Getz at first. The error eventually led to an unearned run.

Up Next

Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA) will try to build on his last three starts in which he has posted a 1.96 ERA. Doug Fister (10-6, 3.60 ERA) will try to keep the Royals at bay. Start time: 6:08

AL Central Notes

Cleveland Indians (65-57): Ace Justin Masterson went 7.2 strong frames, yielding 3 runs on 7 hits and a walk, striking out 4, yet he took the loss to the Athletics. Nick Swisher went 2-4, scored one of the Tribe’s runs, and drove in the other in the 3-2 defeat.

Minnesota Twins (54-66): Joe Mauer‘s 3-4 night couldn’t propel the Twins past the White Sox. One of Mauer’s hits was a solo home run, his 11th. Kevin Correia surrendered all 5 runs, though 1 was unearned.

Chicago White Sox (47-74): Jose Quintana held the Twins to just 2 runs over 6.2 innings and his bullpen shut them down the rest of the way in the 5-2 win. Adam Dunn and Jeff Keppinger homered for Pale Hose.

WILD CARD STANDINGS

Tampa Bay Rays (69-51, 0 GB)

Oakland Athletics (69-52, 0 GB)

Baltimore Orioles (65-56, 4 GB)

Cleveland Indians (65-57, 4.5 GB)

Kansas City Royals (64-57, 5 GB)

New York Yankees (63-58, 6 GB)