Royals vs. Blue Jays: Shields Is Magnificent In 5-0 Shutout

The Kansas City Royals (70-66) were able to head for home with a 5-0 blanking of the Toronto Blue Jays (62-75), avoiding a sweep north of the border. The win secured a 4-2 road trip for the Royals.

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

James Shields was terrific on Sunday, throwing one of his best games of the year. He went 7 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and walked one. He struck out 9 on the day. Shields was able to lower his ERA to 3.03 on the season and he earned his 10th win.

Luke Hochevar and Greg Holland finished of the Blue Jays with scoreless innings of their own.

At the Plate

The Royals were not overwhelming on offense and they needed some help from the Toronto defense, but they scored some runs when presented with the opportunity. The Royals scored in the first on a Emilio Bonafacio walk, followed by a stolen base, an error on catcher J.P. Arencibia, and a ground out to second.

In the third, Jose Reyes was called for interference when he got caught blocking the base path when the Blue Jays had Jarrod Dyson caught in a rundown. That mistake led directly to a run and helped the Royals lose an out in a big 4-run inning.

Bonifacio went 2-4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and an RBI. Hosmer had a 2-5 day and he drove in 3 runs. Dyson also tacked on 2 hits as well.

This and That

Bonifacio and Dyson each stole 2 bases as well, giving the team a major league leading 126 on the year.

Billy went 0-14 in the series and is hitless in his last 4 games. His average has dropped from .297 to .288 in the last four days.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

With a great performance on Sunday, James Shields was the easy choice for his 12th POG. High honorable mention to Eric Hosmer and Emilio Bonifacio.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 12
• Alex Gordon – 15
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 11
• Ervin Santana – 10
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -6
• 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 – 5
• Salvador Perez – 7
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
  
• Danny Duffy – 2
  
• Luke Hochevar

The Blue Jays

The Blue Jays only had 3 hits and 1 walk on the day while striking out 11 times.

J.A. Happ pitched just 4 innings, surrendering 5 runs (2 unearned) in the game. The bullpen held the Royals scoreless for the last 5 innings.

Up Next

Kansas City returns home for a 1:10 Labor Day start featuring an exciting pitching match-up. Danny Duffy (2-0, 1.10 ERA) tries for an encore to his career best start on Wednesday as he faces the Seattle Mariners ace, King Felix Hernandez (12-8, 2.97 ERA).

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (80-57): Joaquin Benoit faltered in 9th inning of a 0-0 tie by allowing 4 runs to the Cleveland Indians. He walked 3 while recording just 1 out. Justin Verlander pitched a whale of a game, going 7 shutout frames, giving up 4 hits and 2 walks in the loss.

Cleveland Indians (72-64): Mike Aviles hit a grand slam Sunday in the 9th inning after Joaquin Benoit walked the bases loaded, blowing up a scoreless tie. It was just the 5 hit on the day for the Tribe. Rookie Danny Salazar held the Tigers’ potent offense in check for six innings.

Minnesota Twins (59-76): Alex Presley went 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI in a 4-2 win over the the Rangers. Kevin Correia had very good day, going 7 frames, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits.

Chicago White Sox (56-79): Andre Rienzo struggled mightily against the Red Sox on Sunday. He lasted just 3 innings, yielding 5 runs on 5 hits. He also issued 4 walks. Alex Ramirez had 3 hits and 2 runs scored in the 7-6 defeat.