Royals Recap: Hosmer Homers; 1 Inninng Dooms Santana
By Joel Wagler
Sometimes, you just get beat. That is what happened to the Kansas City Royals (35-39) on Tuesday when the the Atlanta Braves (45-33) played in Kauffman Stadium for the first time ever. The Braves downed the Royals 4-3.
June 25, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first basemen Eric Hosmer (35) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Except for 4 batters in the 5th inning, Ervin Santana was magnificent. Outside of those four consecutive batters in the 5th, who combined to account for 3 runs, Santana only gave up 2 other hits. He struck out 7 in his 6 innings. Tim Collins relieved Santana in the 7th, hung a breaking ball to Jason Heyward, and that was the ball game.
At the Plate
Every Royal batter tallied one, and only one, hit except for Elliot Johnson, who went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts. Eric Hosmer provided the big hit, a blast in the 5th, pulling the ball over the right center field fence with a runner on. That capped the Kansas City offensive efforts for the night.
This and That
The Braves hitters have struck out 215 more times than their Royal counterparts (694-479). The Royals have struck out the least of any ball club in the majors.
The Braves have well more than double the home runs the Royals have (97-41). The Royals have the fewest home runs of any ball club in the majors.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
If it weren’t for his 4-batter collapse, Santana probably would have gotten this nod. As it is, Hosmer’s big fly is a good sign for him and the Royals, so he earned the POG.
- James Shields – 7
- Alex Gordon – 9
- Wade Davis – 4
- Lorenzo Cain – 5
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 6
- Ervin Santana – 6
- Miguel Tejada – 3
- Jeremy Guthrie -3
- Eric Hosmer – 6
- Chris Getz
- Mike Moustakas – 3
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson – 2
- David Lough – 4
- Alcides Escobar – 3
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
- Bruce Chen
- Salvador Perez – 3
The Braves
Kris Medlen, a reliever through the minors, continues to deliver as a starter in the majors. He is only 5-7 on the year but his ERA stands at 3.02 and his WHIP at 1.26. Jason Heyward is kind of the Braves’ Mike Moustakas. With his 2-4 night, Heyward is only hitting .216 on the season. Including his home run Tuesday, he has only totaled 6 on the year, with 16 RBI.
Up Next
The Royals attempt to gain a season series split with one of the National League’s top teams. The Royals went 1-1 in Atlanta in April. The task falls to Luis Mendoza (2-4, 4.30 ERA) to beat Mike Minor (8-3, 2.89 ERA) at 7:10.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (42-33): Rick Porcello and the Tigers got beat up by the Angels, 14-8. Porcello only lasted 4.1 innings, getting pounded for 7 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks. Miguel Cabrera hit his 21st home run of 2013.
Cleveland Indians (): Justin Masterson wasn’t his usual solid self as got tuned up by the Orioles 6-3. Masterson gave up all 6 runs in 6.1 innings. Jason Kipnis remains hot, going 2-2 with a home run, 1 run scored, 2 RBI, and he walked twice.
Minnesota Twins (34-39): The Twins couldn’t muster much offense against the Marlins rookie starter, Jose Fernandez, in a 4-2 loss in Miami. Kevin Correia pitched well in a losing effort, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 frames.
Chicago White Sox (32-42): Chicago was the only team in the Central to win Tuesday, when Alex Ramirez had a walk-off single against the Mets’40-year old LaTroy Hawkins in the 9th. The Sox beat the Mets 5-4. Tyler Flowers hit is 7th homer on the year.