Stairs' Blast Wins Game

The Royals prevailed 9-8 tonight at the Great American Launching Pad in Cincinnati on a two-run home run by Matt Stairs in the top of the ninth with two outs. Stairs turned on an offering by Todd Coffey and the ball was last spotted somewhere over Kentucky. He absolutely crushed it.

As a guy who follows American League baseball much more closely than National League baseball, this is one of my first looks at the park and it seems to be a bit of a joke. It’s 370 feet to the power alley in right and 379 in left, but it doesn’t even play that long. The Royals hit four home runs and the Reds hit two. I don’t know how a pitcher can make a living in that ballpark, but obviously Bronson Arroyo has found a way to do it (he’s 4-1 with a 2.49 ERA at home—just to show you how good he is).

Unfortunately, Mike Wood wasn’t sharp tonight and he was chased after just 3.2 IP. He gave up 4 ER and 7 H and seemed to be running out of gas in the fourth after just 58 pitches. Wellemeyer was outstanding in relief—giving up no runs or hits in 2.1 IP. Dessens had a rare poor outing, but Affeldt picked him up (and ended up with the win). Burgos got the save, but not before giving up another home run.

Emil Brown finally had a break out game—going 3-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBI. He was right on everything that came his way. In addition to Brown’s home run, DeJesus, Buck, and Stairs all hit dingers.

This was another one of those not so pretty games, but a victory nonetheless. The Royals have now won 9 of their last 12 games and with the Pirates loss tonight, the Royals have caught the Pirates in the battle to no longer be the worst team in baseball. The pitching match ups over the next two days in Cincinnati favor the Reds, but let’s hope that our confidence wins the day in at least of the two games.

Tomorrow, Scott Elarton (3-8, 4.87) goes against Aaron Harang (8-5, 3.59).