Brian McCann powers Yankees to Win

For the fourth straight day, the Royals fell behind early. But, this time, the Royal failed to mount a rally and lost 4-2 to the Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on Friday night.

The big blow came from Yankee catcher Brian McCann, who slammed a 3-run double in the bottom of the third to break up a 1-1 tie. The Royals did managed to scratch out one run in the 5th inning on Lorenzo Cain‘s double, but they were unable to score any more runs the rest of the night.

The loss dropped Kansas City to 3 games under .500 at 29-32, and the Royals fell 5 games behind Detroit in the A.L. Central. The Royals remain in 4th place.

On the Mound

Jeremy Guthrie was actually pretty good, except for a rough 1st 3 innings in which he gave up all 4 Yankee runs. Overall, Gurthrie pitched 7.0 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 walk, and the 4 earned runs with 2 strikeouts. His record fell to 2-6 with a solid 4.10 ERA.

Francisley Bueno and Wilking Rodriguez followed with 2 innings of scoreless relief, despite each giving up one hit. This time, the good bullpen performance went for naught since the Royals offense was not able to get back in the game.

At the Plate

In yet another constipated night for the Royals offense, Kansas City scored 2 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk. They struck out 7 times.

Alex Gordon was again the best hitter on the evening. He went 2-3 with a single, double, walk and 2 runs scored to go with his 4th stolen base. Gordon is a something of a poor-man’s Mike Trout in that he’ll help you in all phases of the game and compile a high WAR value.

No other Royals player had more than one hit. Lorenzo Cain (1-3) and Salvador Perez (1-4) drove in both runs.

This and That

Guthrie has now made 11 consecutive starts without recording a win, despite his solid ERA and 5 quality starts in the span.

Omar Infante helped keep the game close by snagging Carlos Beltran‘s hard grounder up the middle and throwing out the former Royal in the 8th inning.

Note: last night was the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Europe at Normandy. As a side note, the attack was spearheaded by famed paratroop unit 101st Airborne Division the Screaming Eagles who dropped behind enemy lines before the landing. After Normandy, the Screaming Eagles moved to the Pacific Theater where they participated in the liberation of the Philippines. My father’s first “job” was as an orderly for a colonel with the Screaming Eagles.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Our nod goes to Alex Gordon for getting on 3 times and scoring both Royals runs. He’s been the most consistent player in the lineup so far this season, already compiling a 3.0 WAR in 60 games. Gordon is on pace for an outstanding 8.0 WAR season.

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• Billy Butler – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 3
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki
• Salvador Perez – 2
• Jeremy Guthrie  – 5
• Jason Vargas – 5
• Alex Gordon – 8
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields – 5
• Yordano Ventura – 3
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy – 4
• Omar Infante – 2
• Mike Moustakas – 3
• Alcidese Escobar – 3
• Eric Hosmer – 6
• Michael Mariot
• Casey Coleman
• Danny Valencia
• Tim Collins

The Yankees

Derek Jeter is on his retirement tour, making his last appearance in KC in his career. Jeter mentioned meeting Buck O’Neil, and touring the Negro Leagues Museum, as some of the highlights he remembers about Kansas City.

C Brian McCann was the big dog for the Yankees. Not only did he help pitcher Chase Whitley earn his first major-league win, he had the game winning hit in the 3rd inning. McCann went 1-4 with 3 RBI’s on the night.

Chase Whitley earned the first win of his career in his 5th start. He lasted 7.0 innings, giving up 5 hits, 0 walks, and 2 earned runs in the longest stint of his young career.

Up Next

The Yankees and Royals play the 2nd game of their 3-game set on Saturday. Kansas City sends Danny Duffy (3-5, 3.05 ERA) to the mound against St. Louis native David Phelps (1-3, 4.11). Game time is 6:15 CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Box

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

2B: B McCann (7, off J Guthrie).
IBB: M Teixeira (2, by F Bueno).
HBP: M Teixeira (4, by J Guthrie).
TB: B McCann 2; B Gardner 2; B Ryan; M Teixeira; J Ellsbury; B Roberts; I Suzuki.
RBI: B McCann 3 (27); B Roberts (12).
2-out RBI: B Roberts.
Team LOB: 6.
With RISP: 2 for 9.
Fielding
DP: 1. Y Solarte-B Roberts-M Teixeira.
Baserunning
CS: B Ryan (1, 3rd base by J Guthrie/S Perez).
Pickoffs: I Suzuki (1st base by W Rodriguez).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

2B: A Gordon (17, off C Whitley); L Cain (7, off C Whitley); A Escobar (17, off D Betances); B Butler (11, off D Robertson).
TB: A Gordon 3; A Escobar 2; B Butler 2; L Cain 2; S Perez; N Aoki.
GIDP: L Cain (5).
RBI: S Perez (17); L Cain (22).
Team LOB: 4.
With RISP: 2 for 7.
Fielding
E: O Infante (2).
Baserunning
SB: A Gordon (4, 2nd base off C Whitley/B McCann).
CS: N Aoki (4, 2nd base by C Whitley/B McCann).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: J Guthrie (7; M Teixeira).
IBB: F Bueno (1; M Teixeira).
Pickoffs: W Rodriguez (1; I Suzuki, 1st base).