Royals Recap: Tejada’s Home Run Is The Only Offense
By Joel Wagler

The Kansas City Royals (45-50) were unable to complete the sweep of the Detroit Tigers (53-44) behind their staff anchor. A lack of offense again was the Royals downfall in the 4-1 loss.
Jul 9, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; \Kansas City Royals third baseman Miguel Tejada (24) throws to first too late to get New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner (not pictured) on a bunt single during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
James Shields was good but not great. He allowed 3 runs, including two solo home runs, and 9 hits over 7 innings. He issued no walks and struck out 6. Neither home runs were just grooved. Miguel Cabrera hit a pitch six inches off the plate and inside, and the pitch Andy Dirks hit out was a strike but down and in. Sometimes, the other guy hits your pitch.
Kelvin Herrera finished the game out allowing 1 run in 2 innings.
At the Plate
Miguel Tejada provided the only offense with a second inning homer. Six other Royals had one hit and no other runs were pushed across.
This and That
In the fourth inning, Alcides Escobar grounded a single to left. On a hit and run, Jarrod Dyson grounded to second but Escobar jogged into second standing up on a play he would have been safe if he ran hard and slid. With Dyson’s speed, he may very well have disrupted any throw to first. Instead, it was a inning ending double play. Later in the game, he tried to take a throw at second with his head turned the other way. I’m sorry, but that isn’t the way you play baseball. A guy hitting .242 should be trying quite a bit harder and Escobar should have been benched immediately following his lazy base running in the 4th. There are no excuses for that kind of nonchalant play. That is a perfect example of a player being to comfortable in his position on a team – when he doesn’t think he has to hustle.
I became a little less of a fan of Alcides Escobar on Sunday.
For all practical purposes, the Royals are out of the divisional race. Yes, a miracle could happen but the Royals are 7 out behind the Tigers and 5.5 behind the Indians. With their offensive woes, there is little chance Kansas City could overtake both teams.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
No other choice but Tejada. Maybe Escobar should spend a little time watching how Miguel Tejada plays the game.
- James Shields – 8
- Alex Gordon – 11
- Wade Davis – 4
- Lorenzo Cain – 7
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 7
- Ervin Santana – 7
- Miguel Tejada – 5
- Jeremy Guthrie -4
- Eric Hosmer – 9
- Chris Getz
- Mike Moustakas – 4
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson – 3
- David Lough – 6
- Alcides Escobar – 4
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
- Bruce Chen
- Salvador Perez – 4
- Will Smith
- George Kottaras
- Louis Coleman
- Bruce Chen
The Tigers
Doug Fister, like so many other average pitchers in the American League, looked like a star against the Royals. Tejada’s home run was really the only time the Royals even threatened to score.
Prince Fielder, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, and Dirks each had 2 hits. Former Royal Brayan Pena went 0-2 but had 2 sacrifice flies.
Up Next
The Royals begin a 4-game series with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at 7:10. Wade Davis (4-8, 5.89 ERA) is starting (for some reason) against Scott Feldman (8-7, 386 ERA).
AL Central Notes
Cleveland Indians (52-46): The Indians were able to keep pace with the Tigers behind a terrific performance by Justin Masterson in a 7-1 win. Going 7 strong innings, Masterson allowed 1 run on 1 hit when Brian Dozier doubled in the 7th and later scored. Jason Kipnis stayed hot by going 2-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
Minnesota Twins (41-54): Scott Diamond got beat up Sunday by the Indians. He allowed 6 runs (1 unearned) on 7 hits in the loss.
Chicago White Sox (39-56): Jose Quintana was able to dodge trouble on Sunday when he gave up just 1 run despite allowing 9 hits and 3 walks in less than 6 innings. Alex Rios had 2 hits in the 3-1 victory.