Royals Win a Thriller; Then Fizzle

The Royals won a thriller on Friday night against the Tigers. After giving up five runs in the first inning, Jose Lima settled down and didn't allow any runs over the next five innings.

David DeJesus and Angel Berroa led a comeback that was capped off by Berroa's two run shot off Ugueth Urbina in the eighth inning.

Mike MacDougal picked up his first save of the season.

On Saturday, Jeremy Bonderman shut the Royals down again for the second time this season and the Royals lost 7-1.

Brian Anderson pitched well again, giving up 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings, but not well enough to win. The only offense that the Royals managed to generate was a home run from Mike Sweeney, his first of the season.

Jeremy Affeldt has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left groin muscle. Mike MacDougal will take over the closer role until Affeldt comes back. Kyle Snyder was called up from Omaha to fill Affeldt's roster spot. Snyder was 0-0 in Omaha with a 1.17 ERA in 3 games.

Notes:

• The Royals are just 1-4 on their first homestand of the season…
• The Royals are hitting just .230 with 12 runs scored during the current homestand…
• The pitching staff hasn't been much better; posting a 6.40 ERA with 18 walks and 22 strikeouts…the bullpen has an unbelievable 9.22 ERA…
• On Friday, Calvin Pickering and his wife, Jessica, had their first child—Jacob Elijah Pickering…congrats!

Runelvys Hernandez (1-1, 3.14) goes against Mike Maroth (0-1, 7.27) this afternoon.