Winning is always better than losing – always. Blowout wins like the 11-1 Kansas City Royals (66-64) win over the Tampa Bay Rays (74-55) feel even better, especially when the Royals have struggled to score runs most of the season.
Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
It was a very workman like performance from Jeremy Guthrie Monday afternoon. It took him 108 pitches just to get through 5 innings in a sweltering heat. The Rays produced just the 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks against Guthrie. The Royals’ starter struck out 5 on the day for his team-leading 13th win.
Tim Collins, Louis Coleman, and Aaron Crow combined for 4 scoreless, 1-hit innings and kept the Rays from even thinking about a comeback.
At the Plate
It was a good day. The Royals pounded out 13 hits, 4 of which were of the extra base variety. Billy Butler had a perfect day, going 3-3 with a home run, 3 runs scored, 3 RBI, and 2 walks. Emilio Bonifacio had 3 hits, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas two, and Salvador Perez just one, but he did have a home run and 4 RBI in the day.
This and That
Since joining the Royals less than 2 weeks ago, Bonifacio has played in 12 games, garnering 47 plate appearances. His slash line has been terrific – .300/.404/.375/.779. In 94 games with Toronto this season, he had 12 stolen bases and 13 walks in 94 games. In his dozen games in Kansas City, he has 8 stolen bases and 7 walks.
David Lough has a WAR of 2.2. Wil Myers, in 20 less games, has a WAR of 1.2. Just saying…
Despite the two wins in a row, Kansas City remains 7 games behind the Oakland Athletics for the second wild card berth. Losing 7 in a row and 9 or 11 will just make a very difficult task nearly impossible.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Billy Butler‘s perfect day mad him and easy choice for the POG. Honorable mentions go to Gordon, Bonifacio, and Perez for their contributions.
- James Shields – 10
- Alex Gordon – 15
- Wade Davis – 5
- Lorenzo Cain – 8
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 11
- Ervin Santana – 10
- Miguel Tejada – 5
- Jeremy Guthrie -5
- Eric Hosmer – 13
- Chris Getz – 3
- Mike Moustakas – 6
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson – 3
- David Lough – 8
- Alcides Escobar – 5
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
- Bruce Chen – 4
- Salvador Perez – 6
- Will Smith – 1
- George Kottaras
- Louis Coleman – 2
- Bruce Chen – 2
- Justin Maxwell – 2
- Greg Holland -2
- Danny Duffy
- Luke Hochevar
The Rays
Former Royal farmhand and the controversial piece of the James Shields trade, Wil Myers, went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts in the Kauffman Stadium debut. Myers is having a very good rookie campaign as he is sporting a .296 average with 9 home runs, and 39 RBI in 56 games.
Up Next
James Shields (8-8, 3.22 ERA) will try to keep the winning streak going, and get over .500 for the first time this season, when the Royals travel to Minnesota tonight. Kevin Correia (8-10, 4.52 ERA) goes for the Twins.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (77-54): The Tigers fell to the Athletics 8-6 home runs by Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and Omar Infante. The Tiger bullpen surrendered 4 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks in 4 innings.
Cleveland Indians (71-59): The Tribe was off Monday but start a three-game series in Atlanta today.
Minnesota Twins (57-72): After an off day on Monday, the Twins will host the Royals for 3 starting Tuesday.
Chicago White Sox (54-76): Addison Reed allowed back-to-back home runs to Matt Dominguez and Chris Carter in the 9th inning to lose to the Astros 10-8. Adam Dunn and Jeff Keppinger homered in the loss and Alejandro De Aza had 4 hits.