Royals vs Nationals: KC Ends Losing Streak With 6-4 Victory

The Kansas City Royals (65-64) avoided being swept for the second straight series at home by scoring 2 runs late in a 6-4 win over the Washington Nationals (65-65). The Royals only scored in two innings, the first and the 8th, in breaking their 7 game losing skid.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Ervin Santana pitched well early but was left in too long by his manager, Ned Yost. Santana allowed 3 of his 4 runs in the 7th inning and 3 of his 11 total hits in that inning as well. Kelvin Herrera got the win in relief and Greg Holland notched his 35th save.

At the Plate

Every Royal in the starting line-up produced exactly one hit except Jarrod Dyson, who had two. Alex Gordon led off the game with a home run for the 11th time in his career, and Salvador Perez also homered in the first inning. Perez drove in three total on the day.

Billy Butler takes a lot of flack for his lack of speed sometimes. Yesterday, in the 8th inning, he hit a ball to first base. Adam LaRoche fielded it and Butler hustled down the line and somehow beat LaRoche to the bag. That same inning, Butler’s hustle to third to beat out a throw from shortstop Ian Desmond, allowed Eric Hosmer to score, and led to Billy himself scoring on the next batter.

(Note: After the game, a scoring change was made. Salvador Perez’s RBI fielder’s choice to Ian Desmond in the 8th was later changed to a hit, giving him 2 on the day as well.)

This and That

Eric Hosmer has 43 extra base hits, which ranks him 30th in the American league. Alex Gordon has 40, good for 42 in the AL, and Billy Butler has just 36th, which is 58th in the league.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Perez’s big day earns him the POG for Sunday. It is Perez’s 6th such honor this season.

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 10
• Alex Gordon – 15
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 10
• Ervin Santana – 10
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -5
• Eric Hosmer – 13
• 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 – 6
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
  
• Danny Duffy
• Luke Hochevar

The Nationals

Denard Span went 4-5 on the day, including hitting one of Washington’s three home runs in the game. Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond had the other two.

Dan Haren gave up the 4 runs in the first, then shut the Royals out over the next 6 frames. Craig Stammen surrendered the winning runs in the 8th.

Up Next

The Royals have a rain make up scheduled with Tampa on Monday. Jeremy Guthrie (12-10, 4.27 ERA) will try to take down Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 5.01 ERA) and the Rays at 1:10.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (77-53): It is no surprise that Miguel Cabrera was the hitting star for Detroit Sunday. Their star went 3-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 2RBI in the 11-3 win over the Mets.

Cleveland Indians (71-59): The Indians scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th to break out of a 1-1 tie with the Twins. Drew Stubbs homered in the inning and Nick Swisher singled in the other run. Scott Kazmir yielded 1 run on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8 on the day.

Minnesota Twins (57-72): The Twins wasted a 5-frame, 2-hit, 1-run effort from Mike Pelfrey when Jared Burton surrendered the winning runs in the 8th of a 3-1 loss.

Chicago White Sox (54-75): It was the Danks Brothers show for the Sox on Sunday. John Danks went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 8 hits while earning his second straight win. His brother, Jordan Danks, went 2-3 with a home run and walk in the 5-2 victory over the Rangers.