Royals Recap: Hosmer Homers Twice; Escobar Walks Off

The Kansas City Royals (47-51) have been in need of some heroes lately and a few stepped forward last night in the 4-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles (57-45).

Jul 24, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (center) celebrates with teammates Mike Moustakas (8) , Salvador Perez (13) , Jarrod Dyson (1) and James Shields (33) after hitting a walk-off double against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Ervin Santana was terrific once again. In the midst of trade speculation, Santana produced. In his 8 innings, 3 runs scored, two unearned due to an Eric Hosmer error in the 4th, he allowed 7 hits, and walked 2. He pitched deep into the game and gave his club a chance to win.

Luke Hochevar got the victory though, by pitching a scoreless 9th in a tie game. Hochevar’s ERA is now at 1.95.

At the Plate

It was Eric Hosmer’s night with the bat, as he banged out 2 big home runs. They gave Kansas City the lead in the first, and the second dinger, a 2-run shot in the 8th, erased a 2-run error by Hosmer earlier in the game.

Alcides Escobar, who has been leaving men on base seemingly every at bat of late, came to the plate with 1 on and 1 out in the bottom of the 9th. He yanked a ball hard to left, and he thought he got it all. The ball ended up bouncing about a foot below the top of the wall, just out of reach of Nate McLouth, who appeared to actually get glove on the ball. David Lough raced home from first for the walk off victory.

This and That

Eric Hosmer’s two home runs made him the first Royal to reach double figure dingers in 2013.  Eleven home runs put him in such company as light hitting Atlanta shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Jean Segura, Lyle Overbay, and Howie Kendrick – feared power hitters all. Okay, enough snarkiness.

The Royals can’t gain in ground in the divisional race because the Tigers continue to win. Detroit remains 8 games in front of the Royals.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Honorable mention to Santana but we will go with 2 POGs today. Hosmer for his 2 ding dongs (since he made up for it, we will ignore his brutal error), and Escobar for his walk-off heroics.

• 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 – 10
  
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas – 4
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
  
• David Lough – 7
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 2
• Salvador Perez – 4
• Will Smith
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman
• Bruce Chen

The Orioles

Baltimore got a pretty good performance from Wei-Yin Chen, who went 7 plus, gave up the 2 home runs to Hosmer and not much else.

The Orioles got 2 hits each from Nate McLouth, Matt Weiters, and Brian Roberts, but only 2 hits from everyone else combined.

Up Next

The Royals will try to win the 4-game series outright tonight when Jeremy Guthrie (9-7, 4.41 ERA) tries to be the first Royals pitcher to reach double digit victories tonight against Miguel Gonzalez (8-3, 3.34).

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (56-44): Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter, and Prince Fielder all homered in the 6-2 win over the White Sox. Anibal Sanchez threw 6 scoreless innings.

Cleveland Indians (53-48): The Indians exploded for 10 runs in a 10-1 win over the Mariners. Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-4 with a home run, 4 runs scored, 3 RBI, and a walk. Michael Bourn also homered and drove in 4. Scott Kazmir only allowed an unearned run in 8 innings of 1-hit work. He was outstanding on the night.

Minnesota Twins (43-55): The Twins were held to just 2 hits by the Angels’ Jered Weaver, who struck out 9. It wasted a solid outing by Mike Pelfrey, who allowed just one run in 6 innings.

Chicago White Sox (39-59): The White Sox matched the Tigers in hits at 11 but scored 4 less runs in the 6-2 loss. Alejandro De Aza and Dayan Viciedo each had 3. John Danks surrendered 6 runs on 11 hits in 7 frames.