Everett Steals Game in the End

I wish I could remember who the Royals were playing that hot summer day at Royals Stadium in the early 1990's, but it doesn't really matter. What mattered, and what I'll never forget, is how George Brett seemed to sense that the Royals needed a boost that day. He single-handedly picked the ball club up, slid them on his back, and carried them to victory.

The game was close—tied if I remember correctly. You could see the steam rising off the astroturf. Remember those days? Brett hit a looping shot in front of the center fielder and slightly to his right. A single. But Brett was running hard and turned the corner at first like he intended to take second. Wait a minute! He is going to try to take second. The outfielder was shocked by Brett's aggressiveness and then he was shocked a second time when the ball bounced on the astroturf and seemed to keep climbing towards the moon. Brett slid into second and ended up scoring the winning run.

We haven't had a guy on our club who could do something like that in a long time—until Mike Sweeney. On Sunday, the Royals needed someone to pick them up and carry them across the finish line. Especially after giving up a five run lead. Mike Sweeney socked his second home run of the game and the Royals had their first two game winning streak of the season.

Then last night the guys opened a new series against the White Sox. They were up against the ace of their staff, Mark Buerhle. Mike Sweeney smashed a ball over the left field wall in the first inning to give the Royals a two run lead and you could just feel the rest of the team relax. The White Sox countered with a two run shot of their own to tie the score. Sweeney blasted another home run to put the Royals up 3-2, becoming the first Royal to hit two home runs in two successive games since Darrell Porter in 1977. How’s that for perspective.

Later in the game, with the Royals up 4-3, Carl Everett doubled in two runs and gave the Sox a 5-4 lead and unfortunately, the fairy tail ended with a Royals loss. But you get the feeling that Mark Buerhle doesn’t want to see Mike Sweeney again any time soon unless he bumps into him at a restaurant. And you also get the feeling that the Royals are still not even close to giving up.

Brian Anderson pitched well, picking up a quality start, giving up 3 runs in 6 innings. He had all three of his pitches working. His change was sharp and he was able to keep it on the outside of the plate and down most of the game. His curve had bite and he placed his fast ball relatively well.

Unfortunately, Everett got to Sisco out of the pen late in the game. That’s going to happen sometimes.

Mark Teahen was activated and went 1-for-3. He made another poor throw on a dribbler up the third base line. He probably should have just held on to the ball because he had no chance to throw the runner out. Hopefully his discernment will improve with experience.

Tonight, Runelvys Hernandez (1-3, 5.06) goes against Freddy Garcia (2-1, 2.83).