Swept Again

And the latest losing streak is now nine games. We were outscored 23-11 at home against the Cardinals this weekend. And after the 10-3 loss to St. Louis yesterday, we've now been swept three series in a row. With Detroit playing the way they are (29-14 over all, 9-1 in their last 10 games), you have to wonder when we'll win again. After the Tiger series at home, the Royals go on the road to play the evil Yankees and they've lost 14 games in a row in New York.

After the game yesterday, Scott Elarton wasn't afraid to express how he felt: "We're pretty much bad in every facet of the game. It doesn't look like anybody in here cares. If nobody in here cares about it, it'll be a losing season."

If it's true that nobody cares, then our problems run deeper than most of us probably imagined. The Royals have been bad for a long time, but go back ten years to the teams of Wally Joyner, Keith Miller, Gary Gaetti, and Jeff Montgomery and nobody doubted whether they cared or not. Their passion for the game was evident on the field. They couldn't compete with the best teams in the league, but they were still fun to watch.

For now, I guess we're stuck with talking about individual performances—although I hardly think that's good enough.

Emil Brown played a great game yesterday—taking a home run away from Jim Edmonds and making a diving catch in shallow left field. He also went 2-for-5 at the plate. Matt Stairs was 2-for-5. And it's nice to see Shane Costa back in center field and picking up a hit in the leadoff spot.

Elarton wasn't sharp. He gave up 5 ER in 6 innings. Sisco, Wood, and Gobble all gave up runs as well in relief. I still can't believe we have a reliever on our staff almost two month in the season with a 7.71 ERA, but that's where Sisco stands after yesterday.

Tonight the Royals send Jeremy Affeldt (2-3, 5.46) against Justin Verlander (5-3, 3.18).

Berroa Walk Watch: 1 walk in 40 games.