Royals vs Blue Jays: Royals Winning Streak Ends At Five

Clutch hitting escaped the Kansas City Royals (69-65) in their 3-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays (61-74) Friday. The loss marked the end of Kansas City’s 5-gme winning streak. The Royals had plenty of opportunities to score more but they left 8 on base for the game.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Ervin Santana certainly pitched well enough to win overall but he did allow 3 runs on the night on 4 hits. One of the runs was unearned due to a first inning error by former Blue Jay Emilio Bonifacio. Santana yielded just 4 hits and 2 walks in his 7 innings. He struck out 6 in the game.

At the Plate

As has often been the case when the Royals have struggled on offense this season, they left too many on base. They out hit Toronto 9-4 but could just score 2 runs. They left 8 on base through the course of the contest.

Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas each had two hits on the night.

This and That

Mike Moustakas returned to the line up after missing several games with strep throat. He went 2-4 on the night. He left no base runners on.

Mark Buerhle is is 23-12 over his career against the Royals. He ERA going into the game was 3.73 in 51 games. Buerhle is from St. Charles, Missouri and attended Jefferson College.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

No one really stood out with an outstanding game. We will leave the POG vacant for this outing.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 11
• 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 – 5
• Salvador Perez – 7
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
  
• Danny Duffy – 2
  
• Luke Hochevar

The Blue Jays

Ryan Goins, Moises Sierra, Anthony Gose, and Kevin Pillar have 153 at bats combined on the season, including 12 Friday night.

Injuries and under achievement have sunk the 2013 season for Toronto. This is a team many, including myself, picked to win the AL East. Instead, this win brought them to 13 games under .500.

Up Next

Jeremy Guthrie (13-10, 4.19 ERA) will take on the reigning National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey (10-12, 4.39 ERA) at 12:07 Saturday afternoon. The game is not being televised.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (79-56): The Tigers won a weather shortened game 7-2 against the Indians. Andy Dirks went 2-2 wit 2 rubs scored. Prince Fielder scored twice, and Victor Martinez was 2-3 with 1 runs scored and 2 RBI. Rick Porcello surrendered the 2 runs on 5 hits over 5.2 innings.

Cleveland Indians (71-63): Zach McAllister had a rough night against the Tigers, yielding 5 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in just 3.2 innings. Nick Swisher had 2 hits for the Tribe.

Minnesota Twins (58-75): Liam Hendricks out dueled Yu Darvish, 3-2. Hendricks went 6 strong innings, giving up 2 runs (1 unearned) on 5 hits. Chris Herrmann and Justin Morneau homered for the Twins.

Chicago White Sox (56-77): Hector Santiago struggled with his control mightily on Friday. In just 3.2 innings, he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks. Avisail Garcia hit his 4th homer in the loss.