Yordano Ventura Goes Eight In Shutout Against Baltimore Orioles

Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Yordano Ventura had his worst start in his young career last time out but he showed maturity by following that up with a terrific outing. Ventura and the Kansas City Royals (11-11) produced a 5-0 shutout of the Baltimore Orioles (11-11).

On the Mound

Yordano Ventura set career highs in innings in a game with 8, and strikeouts, also 8. He allowed 7 hits and 2 walks on the night. He was truly fun to watch, but I have to interject something here. The Royals are supposed trying protect Ventura, while not restricting him too much.

There was absolutely not reason to send him out for the 8th inning. He was nearly to 100 pitches already, the Royals have spent a lot of money to build the bullpen, and having your 22-year future of the franchise pitcher throw 113 pitches on a cool damp night was idiotic.

Greg Holland, not used since last Saturday, pitched a perfect 9th, striking out 2.

At the Plate

The Royals scored 5 runs but no one really stood out. It was a team effort, as they had 11 hits, but only Jarrod Dyson and Billy Butler had 2 hits. Dyson had 2 runs scored, and Butler 2 RBI on the night.

Salvador Perez was the only Royals without a base knock.

This and That

On the Fox Sports – Kansas City post game, came this tidbit. It was the first time in nearly 10 years the Royals shutout the Orioles in Baltimore. It was the 15th time in franchise history the Royals accomplished that feat.

Take a look at this post on reddit. According to this post, using fWAR as the standard, Billy Butler, going into yesterday’s game, was the worst overall player in the baseball so far this season. That is what happens when you have an everyday DH who isn’t hitting, is striking out too much, and has hit into 6 double plays.

Agree or disagree whether Bruce Chen should be on this team or not, but his presence as a leader and mentor is undeniable. In the Fox Sports – Kansas City post game interview, Bruce Chen interpreted for Ventura with Joel Goldberg. At the end, Ventura answered one of the questions in English.

Chen made a point to Ventura that is was good to answer at least once on his own, in English, to help improve his comfort level with speaking English. That is leadership we don’t always hear about. That was a nice peak into the background of teammates. Well done, Bruce Chen.

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No doubts here here – Yordano Ventura wins his 3rd Player of the Game. Outstanding performance from the exciting youngster.

•  Salvador Perez
• Jason Vargas – 4
• Alex Gordon – 3
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields-3
• Yordano Ventura – 3
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy
• Omar Infante
• Mike Moustakas – 2
• Alcides Escobar – 2
• Eric Hosmer
• Michael Mariot

The Orioles

Chris Davis left the game with a strained oblique muscle. These can be very sore, and there is a chance he could miss the rest of the series.

Ubaldo Jimenez went 6 innings, surrendering 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks. He struck out 3.

Matt Wieters went 2 for 4 and is hitting .357 on the season.

Up Next

Jeremy Guthrie (2-1, 4.68 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals, hoping to find a bit of consistency. Baltimore will send Wei-Yin Chen (3-1, 4.91 ERA) to the hill in game two of this 3-game series. First pitch is at 6:05 Central.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

2B: B Butler (3, off T McFarland).

TB: B Butler 3; J Dyson 2; N Aoki 2; A Gordon; O Infante; A Escobar; E Hosmer; M Moustakas.

GIDP: B Butler (4).

RBI: B Butler 2 (8); N Aoki (4); A Gordon (12); O Infante (11).

2-out RBI: B Butler.

Team LOB: 9.

With RISP: 5 for 15.

Fielding

DP: 1. O Infante-A Escobar-E Hosmer.

Baserunning

SB: A Escobar (4, 2nd base off U Jimenez/M Wieters).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

HBP: N Cruz (1, by Y Ventura).

TB: J Hardy 2; M Wieters 2; N Markakis 2; R Flaherty.

GIDP: N Cruz (3).

Team LOB: 9.

With RISP: 0 for 5.

Fielding

DP: 1. J Hardy-S Lombardozzi-R Flaherty.

E: M Wieters (1).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

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