Angels Down Royals in 10

The Royals probably shouldn't have even been in the game last night, but thanks to an error in the first inning by Orlando Cabrera, Matt Stairs was able to drive a run home with a double down the right field line with two outs. The Royals only managed two runs and four hits off Angels pitching. John Lackey and his cutter were just too much for our lineup. Donnelly, Rodriguez, and Carrasco weren't bad either.

But Mike Wood had his best start of the season—going 6.1 innings and only giving up two runs. I was impressed with Wood on several levels. First, he didn't get distracted by Chone Figgins in the first inning after Figgins singled. I don't know how many times Mike threw over to first, but it had to be close to ten times—all the while making quality pitches to Vladimir Guerrero. He eventually got Vlad to hit a ground ball at Berroa (who made a poor decision to throw to second even though Figgins was running with the pitch, but Grudzielanek bailed him out by getting Vlad at first).

Wood gave up a two-run home run to Vlad in the third inning, but he didn't seem to let him bother him. And something else that impressed me about Wood was his ability to finally work his way through the heart of the order the third time—something he hasn't been able to do since coming to the Royals. He had good control of his pitches last night and he seemed like he was actually pitching, rather than just throwing.

His strong effort (coupled with a good relief appearance by Gobble) kept the Royals in the game into the late innings. In the eighth inning, with the Royals down 2-1, the Royals tied the game in a most bizarre fashion. DeJesus was hit by a pitch. Grudzielanek laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance DeJesus. Mientkiewicz walked. DeJesus took third on a wild pitch. Sanders struck out swinging, but the ball got away from the Molina and then he made a poor throw—allowing DeJesus to tie the score at 2-2.

The game went into the tenth inning when Elmer Dessens made a fatal error—he walked the lead off guy. A sacrifice bunt and ground ball later, Cabrera knocked a single over Berroa's head and the game was over—Angels win 3-2.

The Royals open a new series in Houston tonight. Scott Elarton (1-8, 5.24) goes against Wandy Rodriguez (8-3, 4.48).

Berroa Walk Watch (the quest for double digits): 4 walks in 61 games.