Royals Recap: Red Sox Win Emotional Game; Lorenzo Cain Gets 4 Hits

It has been a very harrowing week for the city of Boston in which its citizens have emerged as an example of strength and will for us all. The Kansas City Royals (9-8) were on hand Saturday to witness the emotional tribute to the heroic law enforcement agencies that brought the tumultuous events of the past week to end Friday night. It would have been a daunting task for any team to take the field yesterday as the opponents for the Boston Red Sox. The Royals made the game an exciting one but in the end, they fell to theSox, 4-3.

Apr 1, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

James Shields once again pitched well enough to win but his offense didn’t produce. Shields went 6 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 8. Once again, Kelvin Herrera struggled, notching his second loss in the past 3 games as he gave up another home run, his 4th in the past 3 games, matching his total for the whole 2012 season. It seems to be location issues with Herrera right now, maybe something mechanical. Hopefully, he can get it ironed out quickly.

At the Plate

Once again, the Royals offense was spotty throughout the line-up. There are several Royals bats in the middle of the order that are ice cold, which makes it difficult to string enough hits together to score runs. Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Billy Butler went 0-10 on the day. All of Kansas City’s offense was generated by Lorenzo Cain, who had a great day. Cain went 4-4, with a home run, 2 doubles, a run, and 3 RBI. Cain has been red hot of late, but could use some help from his teammates.

This and That

Hosmer, Moustakas, and Butler are hitting a combined .194 (25-129). Hosmer and Moustakas have done very little, totaling only 3 extra base hits (all doubles), 6 runs, and 5 RBI in 86 at bats between them.

The Royals recalled Will Smith for the double header. Teams are allowed to add a 26th player for double headers. One has to wonder why a starter was added to the roster and not a reliever like Louis Coleman.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Lorenzo Cain’s 4-4 performance included 9 total bases, and his first home run of the year. This was an easy choice, although Shields pitched very well.

POG Winners:

The Red Sox

Clay Buccholz looked very good, going 8 strong frames, surrendering 2 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He struck out six. David Ortiz had a successful season debut, producing 2 hits on the day. Daniel Navia though, had the big hit, banging out a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th off Herrera.

Up Next

These two team will make up for Friday’s postponed game with a split double header Sunday. In game one, at 12:35, Ervin Santana (1-1) will face Ryan Dempster (0-1). In game two, Jeremy Guthrie (2-0) will match-up against rookie Allen Webster in his major league debut at 6:00.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (9-8 ): Starter Rick Porcello just got pounded. He have up 9 runs and only recorded 2 outs. The Tigers lost 10-0 to the Angels.

Minnesota Twins (7-7): Ryan Doumit scored in the 10th inning on an Alex Ramirez error for the win. Vance Worley allowed only 1 run in 7 innings.

Cleveland Indians (6-10): The Indians offense was on fire, scoring 19 runs, 14 in the first 2 innings. The pounded out 22 hits and walked 8 times. Eight Indians had 2 or more hits, including four by Nick Swisher.

Chicago White Sox (7-10): The White Sox wasted 9 strikeouts by Jake Peavy over innings of 1-run ball as they lost to the Twins, 2-1. Alejandro De Aza hit is 4th home run for their lone run.

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