James Shields Strikes Out Twelve In Final Game Of Series Sweep

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

James Shields had a fantastic performance Thursday to lead the Kansas City Royals (7-7) to a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros (5-11). The Royals bounced back nicely from being swept last weekend in Minnesota by sweeping the Astros in Houston.

On the Mound

James Shields was simply magnificent.  The ace went 8 innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits. He walked two in the contest, and the first one, in the 5th inning, scored the only run. Shields bounced back to strike out the side in the 6th, and in the 7th, and the first batter in the 8th before he gave up another walk and hit. He finished out the inning before ending his night. These 7 strikeouts in a row gave him 12 on the night.

Wade Davis closed out the game to insure Shields’ first victory of the season.

At the Plate

Nori Aoki and Alex Gordon were both 2-4 with 2 runs scored on the evening. The biggest hit of the night came off the bat of Alcides Escobar, who drove in 2 in the 4th inning when the game was still close. In all, the Royals produced 9 hits but just 1 walk.

Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas each had a hit, and Butler , the team’s only base on balls. These two just need to work on getting god swings. The hits will eventually come.

This and That

Kansas City struck out 13 Astros Thursday night, and 37 total in the 3-game set. The season high for a game coming into Houston was 11, and the Royals topped that number all three games.

The Royals leading batting average belongs to Salvador Perez, who is batting .300. Eric Hosmer is next at .283. No one else is over .269.

Ned Yost swapped Billy Butler and Salvador Perez in the line-up. It was the first time Butler has batted 6th since 2009, according to the Fox Sports – Kansas City broadcast team.

Lorenzo Cain was placed on the DL yesterday. Yeah, I know. Jarrod Dyson was placed on the Bereavement List after the game.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

James Shields fantastic game is truly Player of the Game worthy as the team ace garnered his first victory of the 2014 season.

•  Salvador Perez
• Jason Vargas – 3
• Alex Gordon – 2
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields-2
• Yordano Ventura – 2
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy
• Omar Infante
• Mike Moustakas

The Astros

Scott Feldman had given up just 1 earned run in his fist three starts total. He surrendered 4 earned runs (and one unearned run) in just 6 innings. His ERA still stands at 1.69. Anthony Bass pitched 3 perfect innings in relief.

Dexter Fowler struck out 3 times, and four others struck out twice. Only Alex Presley and Jonathan Villar escaped without one.

Up Next

Jason Vargas (1-0, 1.64) makes his fourth start of the season as the Royals return home to face the Minnesota Twins. Ricky Nolasco (1-1, 5.50 ERA) will go for the Twins. Kansas City is looking to avenge last weekend’s disastrous series in Minnesota. Game time is at 7:10 Central.

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2B: A Escobar (3, off S Feldman); N Aoki (3, off S Feldman); S Perez (7, off S Feldman).

TB: N Aoki 3; A Gordon 2; S Perez 2; A Escobar 2; B Butler; E Hosmer; M Moustakas.

GIDP: A Escobar (1).

RBI: A Escobar 2 (5); M Moustakas (3); S Perez (5); E Hosmer (4).

2-out RBI: A Escobar 2.

Team LOB: 3.

With RISP: 4 for 11.

Fielding

PB: S Perez (1).

Outfield Assists: J Dyson (M Dominguez at 2nd base).

Baserunning

SB: N Aoki (2, 2nd base off S Feldman/J Castro).

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SF: A Presley (1, off J Shields).

TB: M Dominguez; G Springer; A Presley; J Altuve; J Castro.

RBI: A Presley (4).

Team LOB: 5.

With RISP: 0 for 3.

Fielding

DP: 1. J Villar-J Altuve-M Krauss.

E: G Springer (1).

Outfield Assists: G Springer (E Hosmer at home plate).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Balks: None.

WP: None.

HBP: None.

IBB: None.

Pickoffs: None.