Things Get Ugly in Detroit

I’m currently in St. Louis visiting family and there isn’t exactly a lot of Royals coverage on this side of the state, but I did have a chance to catch the brawl on ESPN last night between the Royals and the Tigers. And it’s too bad that it had to happen.

Runelvys Hernandez was pitching a good game. He gave up just 2 hits in 5 IP, but he obviously struggled with his command early in the game--hitting Brandon Inge and Chris Shelton in the first inning. Buck said that the game plan was to pitch inside to both hitters and that Hernandez hit both guys by accident. He probably did. Unless there was a holdover retaliation thing going on, it doesn’t make any sense to put two guys on base in the first inning.

The Tigers retaliated in the second inning by hitting DeJesus. Fair enough. I didn’t like the idea that they threw at his knee, but if they were convinced that Hernandez was trying to hit their guys, then retaliation was imminent. That’s how this game works. Then of course, in the sixth inning, Hernandez plunked Carlos Guillen on the batting helmet and a fight was on.

I understand the Tigers being upset. Hitting someone in the head is unacceptable. Hopefully Hernandez didn’t do it on purpose. He certainly showed earlier in the game that he didn’t have total command of the inside portion of the plate and maybe the pitch that hit Guillen got away from Hernandez. Then again, maybe it didn't. Who knows?

I don’t understand what Kyle Farnsworth was doing though when he dashed around the pile of players on the field and tackled Jeremy Affeldt. Be a man Kyle. If you want to fight, don’t be a sneak, challenge the guy face to face.

Enough about the fight. A game actually took place and the Royals won 5-0. Mike Sweeney continued his hot streak with another home run. This time it was a two-run shot. A healthy Sweeney makes this line up look so much better.

The Royals are on to Cleveland where they open a new series tonight. Carrasco (4-3, 3.57) goes against Lee (9-4, 3.89).