The Kansas City Royals (84-75) showed some character by bouncing back and winning a close game 3-2 over the Chicago White Sox, one night after being eliminated from the playoff race. The game was highlighted for the Royals by Greg Holland, who set a team record for most saves in a season with 46.
Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Jeremy Guthrie had a fine game, though it was marred by two mistakes, one to Paul Konerko and the other to Adam Dunn. Each mistake was crushed for a home run. Outside of those two hits, Guthrie didn’t allow any other runs, and only two other hits over 7 innings.
Luke Hochevar pitched the 8th, setting up Greg Holland to nail down his record setting save.
At the Plate
David Lough provided the big blow of the night when he hit a 2-run home run to put the Royals ahead in the 4th. His bunt single in the 7th helped set up the scoring of the winning run later that inning. Mike Moustakas also rapped out two hits.
This and That
Holland broke a long standing tie between the Royals’ two all time best closers. In 1983, Dan Quisenberry saved 45 games out of 53 chances. Quisenberry pitched a crazy 139 innings with 1.94 ERA, and 48 strikeouts.
Jeff Montgomery tied Quiz 10 years later in 1993. That year, Montgomery saved his 45 games in 51 opportunities while pitching 87.1 innings, with a 2.27 ERA, and 66 strikeouts.
Holland has only 3 blown saves, has pitched 66 innings, and has 101 strikeouts, with a 1.23 ERA.
Jeremey Guthrie notched his 15th win of the season last night. It is the first time a Royals’ pitcher has recorded 15 wins since Tim Belcher did it in 1996.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
Co-winners for Thursday after a couple of games with no candidates. David Lough for his big night at the plate, and Greg Holland, the Royals’ all-time single season save leader.
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
- James Shields – 15
- Alex Gordon – 18
- Wade Davis – 5
- Lorenzo Cain – 8
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 12
- Ervin Santana – 12
- Miguel Tejada – 5
- Jeremy Guthrie -6
- Eric Hosmer – 15
- Chris Getz – 3
- Mike Moustakas – 7
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson – 3
- David Lough – 9
- Alcides Escobar – 7
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
- Bruce Chen – 5
- Salvador Perez – 13
- Will Smith – 2
- George Kottaras
- Louis Coleman – 2
- Bruce Chen – 2
- Justin Maxwell – 3
- Greg Holland -3
- Danny Duffy – 2
- Luke Hochevar – 2
- Yordano Ventura
The White Sox
The home run Thursday night was Adam Dunn’s 33rd of the season, but he is hitting just .219. Paul Konerko is batting .248, but his homer was only his 12th.
The White Sox need one more win to avoid a 100-loss season.
Up Next
Tonight’s game will feature the biggest match up these two teams can provide. James Shields (12-9, 3.21 ERA) will take the hill for the Royals, and Chris Sale (11-.13, 2.97 ERA) will go for the White Sox. It will be the third time this season the two have faced off against each other. The White Sox won on Opening Day 1-0, and then again a week later, 2-1. The Royals are hoping for a different outcome Friday.
AL Central Notes
Detroit Tigers (93-66): Detroit was off Thursday and get to coast into the postseason with three games against the Marlins.
Cleveland Indians (89-70): The Indians continue to roll. They knocked off the Twins 6-5 despite Chris Perez giving up 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th and Joe Smith one more. It was Cleveland’s 7th straight win. Yan Gomes was 3-4 with a homer, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI in the victory.
Minnesota Twins (66.-93): Josmil Pinto topped off the scoring with a 2-run home run, in a wild 9th inning where the Twins scored 5 runs in a frenzied comeback that just fell short against the red hot Indians. It was Pinto’s second hit of the night.