The Playoff Race Jeremy Guthrie helps Royals Keep Pace
By John Viril
Sep 13, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) scores against Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (55) in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The the first time in a month, the Kansas City Royals found themselves in 2nd place in the A.L. Central. Jeremy Guthrie helped the Royals break a 2 game losing streak, and keep pace with the Tigers, with a 7-1 victory over the Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium.
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Guthrie might have pitched his best game of the season, going 8.0 innings, while allowing only 3 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run (0 earned) with 2 strikeouts. Rookie left-hander Brandon Finnegan finished off the 9th with 2 strikeouts.
On offense, the Royals finally broke out of their slump to post 7 runs on 12 hits. Alcides Escobar got things started with a double to leadoff the 1st inning, and scored on Nori Aoki’s RBI single. Omar Infante swung the hot bat, going 3 for 4 with 3 singles, and 3 RBI’s on the day.
Unfortunately, Mike Moustakas committed an error, which led to Boston’s unearned run. It was the 3rd consecutive day that Kansas City allowed an unearned run.
A.L. CENTRAL
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.
Unfortunately, Detroit rallied from a 4-3 8th inning deficit to the Indians with a 2-run home run by Alex Avila to take a 5-4 victory.
The win allowed the Tigers to keep sole possession of 1st place in the A.L. Central by 1/2 game over the Royals.
Cleveland lost their 2nd straight game in Detroit with their late-inning collapse. The Royals could use some help from Cleveland today in the last game of their series against the Tigers.
The Indians will call on Trevor Bauer (5-8, 4.12 ERA) for the final game of the series, against the vulnerable Justin Verlander (13-12, 4.82) for Detroit.
A.L. WILD CARD
| Rk | Tm | W | L | W-L% | GB | Strk | ExInn | 1Run | ≥.500 | <.500 | last10 | last20 | last30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | DET | 82 | 66 | .554 | — | W 2 | 6-6 | 21-19 | 46-38 | 36-28 | 6-4 | 13-7 | 18-12 |
| 4 | OAK | 82 | 66 | .554 | — | W 1 | 12-8 | 21-25 | 42-41 | 40-25 | 3-7 | 6-14 | 10-20 |
| 5 | KCR | 81 | 66 | .551 | — | W 1 | 5-7 | 21-22 | 41-42 | 40-25 | 5-5 | 9-11 | 17-13 |
| 6 | SEA | 80 | 67 | .544 | 1.0 | L 1 | 3-7 | 16-26 | 43-29 | 37-38 | 6-4 | 11-9 | 18-12 |
| 7 | TOR | 77 | 70 | .524 | 4.0 | W 1 | 5-7 | 14-17 | 35-39 | 42-31 | 7-3 | 12-8 | 16-14 |
| 8 | CLE | 76 | 71 | .517 | 5.0 | L 2 | 12-7 | 22-20 | 35-44 | 42-27 | 5-5 | 12-8 | 18-12 |
| 9 | NYY | 76 | 71 | .517 | 5.0 | W 1 | 7-7 | 24-21 | 36-41 | 40-30 | 5-5 | 10-10 | 15-15 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.
The Oakland A’s continue to hang on to the A.L.’s top wild card spot, despite losing 7 of their last 10 games. Oakland did, however, manage to pull out a 3-2 victory in 10 innings over the Mariners on Saturday.
Jed Lowrie drew a bases-loaded walk in the 10th against Seattle closer Fernando Rodney to score the go-ahead run.
The A’s remain 1/2 game ahead of the Royals in the wild card standings.
Kansas City still remains in the playoff picture with the 2nd A.L. wild card. They gained sole possession of the 2nd wild card with their win over the Red Sox, combined with Seattle’s loss to Oakland. The Royals now hold a 1 game lead on the Mariners in the wild card race.
Toronto and New York remained in the playoff picture by winning on Saturday. Toronto remains 4 games behind the Royals and the Yankees are 5 games outs.