Royals Can't Overcome Bruce Chen's 10th inning Implosion

Bruce Chen

. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals ran out of magic Thursday night when Bruce Chen imploded to allow 6 runs in 10th inning in KC’s 11-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals rallied from 3 deficits to tie the game at 5-5, but could not overcome Minnesota’s 10th inning outburst.

The loss drops Kansas City to 15 games over .500 at 74-59. The Royals also lost a game to the Tigers, who won 3-2 against the Yankees in Detroit. The Royals A.L. Central lead is now down to 1.5 games.

On the Mound

Jeremy Guthrie wobbled through 6.0 innings, allowing 9 hits, 2 walks, and 5 earned runs with 5 strikeouts. Guthrie left the game trailing 5-4, but was taken off the hook by Alex Gordon‘s 7th inning solo shot (17) that tied the game at 5-5.

Francisley Bueno entered in the 7th and got the first two outs without allowing a hit.

Jason Frasor came on to finish the scoreless 7th.

Kelvin Herrera pitched a clean 8th inning, with 1 strikeout.

Greg Holland held the Twins scoreless in the 9th, allowing 1 walk in a non-save situation.

Bruce Chen pitched the 10th and gave up a leadoff triple to Oswaldo Arcia, followed by an intentional walk to Trevor Plouffe and a 2nd walk to Joe Maurer. With the bases loaded Chen then gave up two singles, and 2 doubles to allow 6 runs that lost the ballgame.

At the Plate

The Royals came from behind 3 times in the game, wiping out 2-0, 4-2, and 5-4 leads.

Alex Gordon tied the game in the 7th with a solo shot (17) that knotted the game at 5-5. Gordon went 2 for 5 with a single, home run, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI’s.

Billy Butler reached base 4 times going 2 for 3, with 2 singles, 2 walks, and 1 RBI.

This and That

Escobar made a nice bare-handed play to rob Eduardo Nunez of an infield single with a man on 2nd and 1 out in the 4th. The play likely saved a run after Guthrie allowed two singles sandwiched around a walk that scored 2 runs after Escobar’s play.

Lorenzo Cain made a spectacular leaping catch against the wall in center robbing Kurt Suzuki of extra-bases to open the Twins’ 7th inning.

Kelvin Herrera has pitched 23.1 consecutive scoreless innings, which is the 2nd longest streak in the league behind teammate Wade Davis‘ 24.2.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Alex Gordon gets our nod for his then game-tying home run (17) in the 7th inning.

Royals Can’t Overcome Bruce Chen’s 10th inning Implosion

By John Viril | Aug 28, 2014