Royals Drop to 2-20 on Road

Another road game. Another loss. The Royals are now 2-20 on the road and on the verge of making more history—in the kind of way you don't want to make history. According to this article in the Star, we are now one of only four teams who have lost 20 of their first 22 games on the road. The other teams are: the 1904 Washington Senators, the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, and the 2005 Houston Astros. Our next series on the road is in New York where the Royals have 14 games in a row.

I'm amazed that we were even in the game yesterday. Runelvys Hernandez is pitching like he's in Omaha and we're watching his ERA rise with every start. It's at 6.75 now. He had a cramp in his left arm yesterday that caused him problems. He gave up 5 ER, 8 H, 3 BB in just 3.1 IP. He'll be examined upon his return to Kansas City. Even if it's something more serious than a cramp, does it really matter? Couldn't we call up somebody from Omaha and plug him into Hernandez's spot and hardly notice a difference?

--Kyle Snyder has a 4.24 ERA in Omaha with a 1.14 WHIP.
--Ed Yarnall has a 2.93 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP.
--J. P. Howell has a 5.67 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP.
--Adam Bernero has a 3.32 ERA with a 1.16 ERA.

Finding positives in a 6-5 loss in which your team leaves 13 guys on base is difficult. Burgos didn't get shelled. Actually he pitched two complete innings and only gave up one hit. So, it was a nice recovery. Esteban German continues to hit. He was 3-for-3 and he's still hitting a ridiculous .396. I'm even more impressed that he walked twice. Mark Grudzielanek was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a BB. Sanders finally got a hit—a two-run double. Mientkiewicz picked up a couple of hits and so did Buck. But when we needed the big hit, it didn't happen.

With two guys on base and two outs in the top of the ninth, Bob Wickman threw a curve ball that appeared to be up and in to Buck, but the umpire punched him out and the game was over. And with the loss, the Royals are now officially off to their worst start in franchise history after 38 games.

We head home to take on the Cardinals this weekend. Can you just imagine what Albert Pujols must be thinking right now? Tonight the Royals send Mark Redman (0-3, 6.03) (shouldn't he be in Omaha by now?) against Chris Carpenter (3-2, 1.98).

Berroa Walk Watch: 1 walk in 38 games. He's on pace for 4.26 walks this season.