Royals vs Mariners: Will Smith Nearly Perfect In Relief In 3-1 Win

If someone had predicted a young Royals pitcher would be the star of the day, your first guess wouldn’t have Will Smith. The young reliever was brilliant in the Kansas City Chiefs’ (71-66) 3-1 over the Seattle Mariners (62-75) on Monday afternoon.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Danny Duffy didn’t pitch badly 0n Monday; he just wasn’t very economical with his pitches. He lasted just 3.1 innings despite the fact he only allowed 1 run on  5 hits. He struck out 4 in the game but walk 4 as well. He threw 92 pitches on the day. This high pitch count has been an issue in the past with Duffy and it is something he needs to work on in the future. still, he kept his team in the game.

Will Smith came in with one outs in the 4th and he pitched 4.1 frames, allowing one hit Jarrod Dyson lost in the sun. He walked none while striking out 8 over the course of his brilliant outing.

Greg Holland wrapped things up with his 37th save of the season.

At the Plate

It wasn’t an impressive day at the plate for the Royals, but it was just enough. They scraped together just six total hits, but converted them into 3 runs. No single Royal had more than 1 hit.

Alcides Escobar stole 2 bases in the contest.

This and That

The Royals are now 7-7 in this stretch in which 16 of 17 games were against sub .500 team. They have won 7 or their last 9 after dropping the 5 of that stretch.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Will Smith earned earned his second win on the year, as well as his 2nd POG.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 12
• Alex Gordon – 15
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 11
• Ervin Santana – 10
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -6
• 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 – 2
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
  
• Danny Duffy – 2
  
• Luke Hochevar

The Mariners

Felix Hernandez allowed all 3 runs in his 6.2 innings. He had to leave the game in the middle of an Alex Gordon at bat due to backs spasms. Oliver Perez came in and finished off Gordon.

Kyle Seager went 3-4 in the game.

Up Next

Bruce Chen (6-2, 2.79 ERA) will try to keep the momentum going as faces off against young Erasmo Ramirez (5-1, 5.18 ERA) at 7:10 on Tuesday.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (81-57): Doug Fister pitched 7 shutout innings in the 3-0 blanking of the Boston Red Sox. Four were wild for Fister as he allowed 4 hits 4 walks, while striking out 4.

Cleveland Indians (73-63): Justin Masterson left in the first inning of the Indians’ 7-2 loss to the Orioles with a sore left rib cage injury. No word as of yet on the seriousness of the injury. Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall each homered in the loss.

Minnesota Twins (60-76): The Twins exploded for 13 hits in a 10-6 win against the Houston Astros. The Astros also had 13 hits but only 4 after the second inning. Andrew Albers got pounded for 5 runs and 9 hits in just 1.2 innings. Chris Colabello went 2-5 with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 5 RBI. Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe also homered in the game.

Chicago White Sox (56-80): Paul Konerko provided the only offense on the day for the Sox with a 7th inning home run, his 10th of the year. Dylan Axelrod allowed 8 runs (2 unearned) in 2.1 innings of relief. Tyler Flowers underwent season ending shoulder surgery today. He should be recovered within a few months and should be ready for Spring Training.