Danny Duffy and Royals lose Heartbreaker in Seattle

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

In his second start of Danny Duffy‘s rotation trial-run, he held the Mariners to 1 run on 2 hits in six innings only to lose 1-0 at Safeco Field. Duffy walked 3, struck out 4 and generally looked like he’s ready for a role in the rotation.

The Mariners scored their only run off Duffy in the 3rd inning when C Mike Zunino led off the inning with a double. Mike Saunders sacrificed him to third before Duffy struck out RF Stefen Romero. The Royals then issued a intentional walk to Robinson Cano, but Corey Hart lined a solid single up the middle to bring home Zunino.

The single run stood up.

The Royals fell to 16-18 overall, and remained 6 games behind Detroit.

On the Mound

What can I say? Duffy was impressive. Not only did he surrender a mere single run, he was also efficient. He got through 6 innings on 88 pitches, despite allowing three walks. Unfortunately, the only two hits Duffy surrendered came in the same inning. He really deserved better than to lose.

Duffy’s record is now 1-3, but with an outstanding 1.96 ERA. He’s ready Ned. Duffy needs to  remain in the rotation.

Kelvin Herrera came on in the 7th and pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Right now, the bullpen roles look crystal clear. Wade Davis is the primary set-up man. Herrera and Crow are the favored sons for the 7th inning—with everyone else a situational mix-n-match.

At the Plate

When you lose 1-0, it’s obviously a bad night at the plate. The Royals only managed 4 hits and 0 walks in Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma’s 8 innings. Alex Gordon got thrown out attempting to steal in the second after a single.

Eric Hosmer continues his hot streak going 2-3 with 2 singles and a walk. Hosmer’s average has now surged to .314. He’s also riding a 4-game hitting streak.

The Royals mounted their only real threat in the 9th inning when Alcides Escobar drew a walk against Seattle closer Fernando Rodney. Nori Aoki sacrificed him to second, while Hosmer drew a walk. But, DH Billy Butler struck out and C Salvador Perez grounded out to short.

This and That

The hitch in Hisashi Iwakuma‘s leg kick clearly threw off the timing of Kansas City hitters all night.

Billy Butler had a bad day at the plate. Not only did he strike out in the 9th with two runners on, he also grounded into a double play after a leadoff single in the 4th by Hosmer.

It was a well-played game on both sides that unfortunately was lost by Kansas City.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

When you lose 1-0, the obvious “Player of the Game” is going to be the starting pitcher—even if you lose like Duffy did tonight. Duffy is showing he belongs in the rotation and Bruce Chen should return to the long role in the bullpen.

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• Billy Butler — 2
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki
• Salvador Perez – 2
• Jeremy Guthrie
• Jason Vargas – 4
• Alex Gordon – 3
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields – 4
• Yordano Ventura – 3
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy — 2
• Omar Infante –
• Mike Moustakas – 2
• Alcides Escobar –3
• Eric Hosmer –4
• Michael Mariot

The Mariners

Hisashi Iwakuma is really the story of the game. His 7 strikeout and no walks or runs in 8 innings was the ballgame. It isn’t often that you will win a game on two hits like Seattle did Thursday night.

Mike Zunino had a nice game, with the only extra-base hit and run scored on the night. He also threw out Alex Gordon attempting to steal in the 2nd inning.

Up Next

The Royals continue their 3-game series vs. Seattle by sending Jason Vargas (2-1, 3.50 ERA) to the mound against Brandon Maurer (1-0, 6.92 ERA). Gametime is 9:10 CST at Safeco Field.

Box

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/9/2014.

SH: N Aoki (2, off F Rodney).
TB: E Hosmer 2; A Gordon; N Aoki.
GIDP: B Butler (5).
Team LOB: 4.
With RISP: 0 for 3.
Baserunning
CS: A Gordon (2, 2nd base by H Iwakuma/M Zunino).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/9/2014.

2B: M Zunino (5, off D Duffy).
SH: M Saunders (2, off D Duffy); J Jones (1, off K Herrera).
IBB: R Cano (6, by D Duffy).
HBP: K Seager (4, by D Duffy).
TB: M Zunino 2; C Hart.
RBI: C Hart (14).
2-out RBI: C Hart.
Team LOB: 5.
With RISP: 1 for 5.
Fielding
DP: 1. K Seager-R Cano-J Smoak.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/9/2014.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/9/2014.

Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: D Duffy (3; K Seager).
IBB: D Duffy (2; R Cano).
Pickoffs: None

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