Royals Recap: David Lough Gets 4 Hits; James Shields Off Kilter

If, 24 hours ago, someone mentioned that the Kansas City Royals (21-27) would knock out twelve hits against the St. Louis Cardinal’s (33-17) ace Adam Wainwright, and the Royals had James Shieldson the mound, most of us would have taken that scenario and been thrilled. Well, that is exactly what the scenario was yesterday at the “K” but the Royals didn’t capitalize on it sufficiently enough to win the ball game. They fell to the Cards 6-3.

September 27, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder David Lough (7) scores a run during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

It just wasn’t James Shields’ day on Monday. He has been all the Royals could ask for so far in 2013 but his team has not backed him up with any offense (and no, Wil Myers would not be making a difference here either). Yesterday, Shields was not his usual stellar self. He labored through 6 innings, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits and 5 walks. He only struck out 4 on the day. Tim Collins and Bruce Chen worked 3 scoreless frames, but it was too late.

At the Plate

The Royals pounded out 13 hit themselves, are rare feat for this beleaguered offense. Of those 13 knocks, only 1 went for extra bases – David Lough‘s lead off double. Lough had a career day for himself, going 4-5 with a runs scored on the day. Alex Gordon and Billy Butler were the only other 2 hitters to have a multi-hit contest, each with 2. The other 5 hits were scattered throughout the line-up. The Royals inability to bunch hits together is one of the things that is killing them. The fact the aren’t hitting anything other than singles for the most part, isn’t helping anything either.

This and That

Raul Adalberto Mondesi, a 17-year farmhand at Low-A Lexington, hit for the cycle on Monday. This followed a 2-homer game for Mondesi on Sunday. Mondesi’s .247 batting average is the third highest on the team.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

David Lough and his four hits garner him the POG in this tough loss. It would have been nice to see him score more than once but that wasn’t all his fault.

The Cardinals

The 12 hits Adam Wainwright surrendered on Monday to the Royals are the most he has ever given up in a victory. Yadier Molina had a monster day yesterday, going 2-2 with a home run run, 2 runs, 4 RBI, and 2 walks. Lead Off hitter Matt Carpenter also reached base 3 times with 2 hits and a base on balls. The Cards walked 7 times in the ball game to go with their 12 hits; the Royals didn’t walk once with their 13 hits. Could that have been the difference in the game?

Up Next

Now it is Ervin Santana‘s(3-4, 3.14) turn to try to end the skid. He will match up against Tyler Lyons (1-0, 1.29 ERA).

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (29-20): The Tigers outlasted the Pirates 6-5 behind Justin Verlander‘s 13 strikeouts. Jhonny Peralta went 4-4 with 3 RBI.

Cleveland Indians (27-23): The Indians were edged out late by their in-state rivals, the Reds, 4-2. Jason Giambi hit a pinch-hit solo home run in his only at bat in the 8th.

Chicago White Sox (24-25): Alex Ramirez and Conor Gillaspie were the only to White Sox to get hits against the Cubs Monday in a 7-0 white washing.

Minnesota Twins (20-28): Joe Mauer hit a home run and scored 3 times in the Twins 6-3 win over the Brewers. The Twins are now only 1 game behind the Royals in the AL Central standings.

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