Royals vs Tigers: Hosmer HR Helps KC Win Series

The Kansas City Royals ( 75-68) continue to hang in the wild card race by beating the Detroit Tigers (82-61). Eric Hosmer hit a 3-run home run to propel Kansas City to a 5-2 win and a series victory.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Bruce Chen did a great job going 7 strong innings, and allowing his bullpen to get a degree of rest. In those 7 frames, Chen yielded 2 runs on 5 hits. He did not walk a batter while striking out 4.

Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland each tossed an inning with Holland recording his 40th save on the season.

At the Plate

Eric Hosmer was the hitting star this day, going 3-4 with a homer, a run scored, and 3 RBI. His 3-run shot in the 5th inning gave the Royals the lead in which they did not relinquish the rest of the game

Alex Gordon and Billy Butler each added 2 hits to the team’s 10-hit effort.

This and That

Eric Hosmer, who has been flirting with a .300 batting average for quite awhile now, finally nudged it over that plateau. He finished the game with a .302 average.

Despite Butler getting 2 hits, Hosmer actually passed Butler in OPS as well. Hosmer has an OPS of .808, Butler .804.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Hosmer’s game changing home run edges out Bruce Chen’s strong outing. It is Hosmer’s 14th POG, just one behind team leader Alex Gordon.

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 12
• Alex Gordon – 15
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 12
• Ervin Santana – 10
• Miguel Tejada – 5
• Jeremy Guthrie -6
• Eric Hosmer – 14
• Chris Getz – 3
• Mike Moustakas – 7
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
• David Lough – 8
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 5
• Salvador Perez – 9
• Will Smith – 2
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
• Bruce Chen – 2
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
• Danny Duffy – 2
  
• Luke Hochevar

The Tigers

The Tigers had just 6 hits and no walks against the Royals. Jose Iglesias‘ 2-run homer in the 3rd was the only offense Detroit could muster on the day.

Doug Fister took the loss, going 6.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits. He walked one and struck out 4.

Up Next

This a big week coming up for the Royals (Isn’t it nice to have a big week in September?). Kansas City has three games in Cleveland and 3 more in Detroit. Ervin Santana (8-8, 3.33 ERA) will try to regain his magic against Ubaldo Jimenez (10-9, 3.79 ERA) on Monday night at 6:10 CDT.

AL Central Notes

Cleveland Indians (76-66): The Indians’ closer Chris Perez surrendered a run in the top of the 9th to lose 2-1. The Tribe only managed 5 hits on the day.

Minnesota Twins (61-80): The Twins were shut out 2-0 by the Blue Jays despite a scoreless 7 inning effort by Andrew Albers. The Twins only scraped together 5 hits on the day.

Chicago White Sox (56-85): Closer Addison Reed, who blew a save on Saturday, flirted with danger again Sunday, He got the save despite the allowing a run in the bottom of the 9th to the Orioles. The Sox won the game 4-2. Adam Dunn hit his 31st home run on the season.