Royals Recap: Wade Davis Pounded; Offense Awful

Monday night’s loss against the Cleveland Indians (10-13) is one the Kansas City Royals (13-10) would like to forget. The Indians dominated the game in every fashion, winning easily, 9-0. There were not many positives in this game as the Royals gave up the divisional lead to the Tigers.

April 08, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher

(43) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

What is there to say about Wade Davis‘ outing other than brutal. He only lasted 4.2 innings, getting knocked around for 8 runs on 12 hits and 3 walks. Davis is much more effective when he keeps the ball down and on Monday he did not. His fastball is a little straight, and when it is elevated, he will get pounded, as he did last night. The bullpen did all right, only giving up 1 run in 4.1 innings.

At the Plate

The hitters were no better than than Wade Davis. Royal batters were impatient at the plate against a horrible pitcher who had an ERA over 10 coming into the game. They made Ubaldo Jimenez look like Cy Young. Kansas City only collected 3 hits and walked twice. It was embarrassing.

This and That

Former Royal John Buck, now with the Mets, has more home runs than Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jeff Franoeur, and Salvador Perez – combined. Buck has 9 April home runs. The players listed above have 8 – combined.

David Lough is hitting .365 in Omaha with a .413 OBP thus far. Johnny Giavotella is hitting at a .318 clip with a .392 OBP. Finally, Anthony Seratelli is at .300 with a .417 OBP. How long will the Royals keep running guys out who do not have a clue at the plate? If it is for much longer, the season may get away from them very quickly.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Slim pickings for sure – how about Aaron Crow? He has pitched 6 innings over 8 appearances and has not yet given up a run.

• James Shields – 2
• Alex Gordon – 4
  
• Wade Davis – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 2
• Luis Mendoza
• Billy Butler
• Ervin Santana – 3
• Miguel Tejada
• Jeremy Guthrie -2
• Eric Hosmer
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas
• Aaron Crow

The Indians

Ryan Raburn (really???) went 4-4, with 2 home runs, 2 runs, and 4 RBI on the night. Michael Brantley had 3 hits, and Asdrubal Cabrera added 2.  Jimenez lowered his ERA from 10.60 to 7.13.

Up Next

It is for situations like this that the Royals acquired James Shields (1-2, 3.09 ERA). He will try to right the Royals listing pitching ship tonight at 7:10 against his former mates. Alex Cobb (3-1, 1.82 ERA) will take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (14-10 ): Andy Dirks and Prince Fielder homered for the Tigers as Detroit passed Kansas City for first place in the division. Max Scherzer struck out 10 in his 7.1 innings as he earned the win.

Minnesota Twins (11-11): Josh Willingham homered for the 5th time in the Twins’ loss to the Tigers. Mike Pelfrey gave up 4 runs in 5.1 innings for the loss.

Chicago White Sox (10-14): The White Sox were off Monday. They start a three-game series in Texas tonight. Jose Quintana (2-0, 2.78 ERA) will go for Chicago.