The Playoff Race: The Kansas City Royals fall into Tie with Tigers
By John Viril
Sep 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Royals failed for the 2nd straight game in Detroit, falling 4-2 to the Tigers at Comerica Park on Tuesday after blowing a potential 9th inning rally on a botched double steal by Jarrod Dyson.
More from Kansas City Royals
- This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
- The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
- DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
- 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
- LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
The Royals opened the 9th inning with two infield singles when pinch runners Jarrod Dyson and Terrance Gore attempted a double steal. However, Dyson tipped the Tigers to the Royals intentions on an earlier pitch, and Detroit closer Joe Nathan instead picked him off second.
The out killed the Royals momentum. Instead of runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out, the Royals then had 2 outs. Catcher Salvador Perez continued an 0-18 slump by striking out to end the game.
The Royals will attempt to avoid a humiliating sweep on Wednesday, with ace James Shields on the mound against Rick Porcello.
The entire team needs ‘Big Game’ James to stop the bleeding.
A.L. CENTRAL
| Rk | Tm | W | L | W-L% | GB | Strk | Home | Road | ExInn | 1Run | ≥.500 | <.500 | last10 | last20 | last30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KCR | 79 | 64 | .552 | — | L 2 | 38-33 | 41-32 | 5-7 | 21-22 | 40-42 | 39-23 | 5-5 | 10-10 | 18-12 |
| 2 | DET | 80 | 65 | .552 | — | W 3 | 38-32 | 42-33 | 6-6 | 20-19 | 44-37 | 36-28 | 6-4 | 12-8 | 17-13 |
| 3 | CLE | 74 | 69 | .517 | 5.0 | L 2 | 43-30 | 32-39 | 12-7 | 22-19 | 35-42 | 40-27 | 5-5 | 12-8 | 18-12 |
| 4 | CHW | 64 | 80 | .444 | 15.5 | L 1 | 35-37 | 29-43 | 6-8 | 23-22 | 40-52 | 24-28 | 4-6 | 5-15 | 9-21 |
| 5 | MIN | 62 | 82 | .431 | 17.5 | W 1 | 30-42 | 32-40 | 5-7 | 18-23 | 39-57 | 23-25 | 3-7 | 7-13 | 11-19 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.
The Tigers finally succeeded in running down the Royals. For the first time since August 11, the Royals do not have sole possession of 1st place in the A.L. Central. The Tigers can thank ace Max Scherzer, who pitched 6.2 innings of 1-run baseball, and no. 9 hitter Rajai Davis, who hit a 2-run home run in the 2nd.In
Kansas City fell to 4-11 against the Tigers this season.
The Cleveland Indians failed to take advantage of the opportunity to close on the A.L. Central lead for the 2nd straight day, losing 4-3 to the Twins. The Indians remain 5 games behind Kansas City and Detroit.
A.L. WILD CARD
| Rk | Tm | W | L | W-L% | GB | Strk | ExInn | 1Run | ≥.500 | <.500 | last10 | last20 | last30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | OAK | 81 | 63 | .562 | — | W 1 | 11-8 | 20-23 | 41-40 | 40-23 | 3-7 | 8-12 | 11-19 |
| 4 | KCR | 79 | 64 | .552 | — | L 2 | 5-7 | 21-22 | 40-42 | 39-23 | 5-5 | 10-10 | 18-12 |
| 5 | DET | 80 | 65 | .552 | — | W 3 | 6-6 | 20-19 | 44-37 | 36-28 | 6-4 | 12-8 | 17-13 |
| 6 | SEA | 79 | 65 | .549 | 0.5 | L 1 | 3-6 | 16-25 | 42-28 | 37-37 | 7-3 | 12-8 | 19-11 |
| 7 | TOR | 75 | 69 | .521 | 4.5 | W 3 | 5-7 | 14-16 | 35-39 | 40-30 | 8-2 | 11-9 | 15-15 |
| 8 | CLE | 74 | 69 | .517 | 5.0 | L 2 | 12-7 | 22-19 | 35-42 | 40-27 | 5-5 | 12-8 | 18-12 |
| 9 | NYY | 73 | 69 | .514 | 5.5 | L 2 | 7-6 | 22-20 | 35-39 | 38-30 | 4-6 | 10-10 | 15-15 |
| 10 | TBR | 70 | 75 | .483 | 10.0 | W 1 | 7-10 | 22-19 | 42-53 | 28-22 | 5-5 | 9-11 | 14-16 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.
The A’s still hold the top wild card in the American League after breaking out of their tailspin to defeat the White Sox 11-2. The victory leaves them with a 1.5 game lead on Detroit and Kansas City, who are tied for the 2nd A.L. wild card after Detroit knocked off Kansas City on Wednesday night.
The Mariners trail Detroit and Kansas City by 1/2 game after losing 2-1 to Houston. The Astros scored in the top of the 9th on Jonathan Villar‘s RBI single right after Logan Morrison‘s home run in the bottom of the eighth had tied the game at 1-1.
Toronto is pulling into contention with 3 straight wins and now sit 4.5 games behind the 2nd wild card.
Looks like its going to be a wild ride over the last 3 weeks, people. Hang on.