Mike Moustakas’ Two Home Runs propels Royals to Win

The Royals finally broke out of their 4-game losing streak with a 7-1 victory over the White Sox in Chicago Tuesday night behind Mike Moustakas’ two home runs.

Along with Moose’s pair of home runs, Bruce Chen gave up 1 run in 5 innings.

The win brings the Royals back to 1 game under .500 at 49-50. The Royals are now 7 games behind Detroit in the American League Central, and 1.5 games behind Cleveland.

On the Mound

Bruce Chen went 5.0 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, and 1 earned run with 2 strikeouts. Chen earned his 2nd win of the season.

Kelvin Herrera entered in the 6th inning and pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

Wade Davis pitched a scoreless 8th inning, despite allowing 1 hit and 1 walk to go with his 2 strikeouts.

Greg Holland finished off the 9th with a scoreless inning in a non-save situation.

At the Plate

Overall, the Royals offense broke out with 7 runs, after scoring 6 runs in their last 4 games. As a team, Kansas City smacked 14 hits and drew 7 walks. They probably should have scored more than 7 runs.

Mike Moustakas was the big dog, going 3-5, with 2 home runs, a single, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI’s. Moustakas’ big day puts him at .198 for  the year.

Raul Ibanez chipped in by going 2-4, with a single, a double, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.

Alex Gordon got on base 4 times going 2-4, with 2 singles, 2 walks, and 1 run scored.

This and That

Eric Hosmer missed his 2nd straight start after injuring his hand on Monday against the Red Sox.

The Royals stranded 14 baserunners despite scoring 7 runs.

Bruce Chen recorded his 82nd major-league win, tying him with Mariano Rivera for most by a Panamanian-born pitcher.

Not only did Mike Moustakas hit 2 home runs, he also saved a run with his glove by spearing a liner in the 3rd inning.

Alcides Escobar chipped in with an unassisted double play on a liner in the 5th.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Mike Moustakas is the clear choice for both his offense and defense. The Royals need more games like that from Moustakas if they want to turn this season around.

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• Billy Butler – 2
• Francisley Bueno
• Danny Valencia
• Christian Colon
• Raul Ibanez
• Jarrod Dyson – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 6
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki
• Salvador Perez – 6
• Jeremy Guthrie  –
• Jason Vargas – 6
• Alex Gordon – 10
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields – 8
• Yordano Ventura – 4
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy – 7
• Omar Infante – 4
• Mike Moustakas – 6
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• Eric Hosmer – 12
• Michael Mariot

The White Sox

Adam Dunn had yet another strong day against the Royals, going 2-4, with 1 run scored, 1 RBI and his 15th home run of the season. Adam Dunn is probably the player in the league that comes closest to 3 true outcomes: home run, strikeout, or walk.

Up Next

The Royals finish their 3-game set in Chicago Wednesday afternoon. The Royals will send James Shields (9-5, 3.70 ERA) to the mound against Carlos Quintana (5-7, 3.26 ERA) for the White Sox. Game time is 1:10 PM CST at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

Box

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

2B: J Dyson (1, off S Carroll); A Gordon (25, off S Carroll); B Butler (20, off S Carroll); R Ibanez (6, off S Carroll).
HR: M Moustakas 2 (12, 1 off S Carroll, 2nd inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep RF, 1 off E Surkamp, 8th inn, 1 on, 2 outs to Deep RF Line).
SF: O Infante (6, off J Guerra).
IBB: A Gordon (2, by J Guerra).
TB: M Moustakas 9; J Dyson 3; R Ibanez 3; A Gordon 3; B Butler 2; N Aoki 2; S Perez; A Escobar.
GIDP: B Butler (16).
RBI: M Moustakas 3 (39); R Ibanez (24); O Infante (48).
2-out RBI: M Moustakas 2.
Team LOB: 14.
With RISP: 4 for 15.
Fielding
DP: 1. A Escobar.

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

3B: M Sierra (1, off B Chen).
HR: A Dunn (15, off B Chen, 4th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep LF).
TB: A Dunn 5; M Sierra 3; A Ramirez 2; A Nieto; A Eaton; P Konerko.
RBI: A Dunn (40).
Team LOB: 10.
With RISP: 0 for 6.
Fielding
DP: 1. A Ramirez-G Beckham-P Konerko.
PB: A Nieto (5).
E: L Garcia (6); J Guerra (1).
Outfield Assists: M Sierra (R Ibanez at 2nd base).
Baserunning
SB: A Ramirez 2 (17, 2nd base off B Chen/S Perez 2).

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

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

Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: None.
IBB: J Guerra (4; A Gordon).
Pickoffs: None.