Comeback Comes up Short

Game Date: July 26, 2006
Game Score: Orioles 4, Royals 3 / Box Score
WP: Loewen (1-2), LP: Hernandez (2-5), SV: Ray (25)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 35-65

Buddy Bell gave Runelvys Hernandez the start last night in place of Jimmy Gobble because Bell wanted to separate Redman and Gobble in the rotation. Makes sense since they are both lefties who rely on changing speeds to get guys out. So, in 96 degree heat, Hernandez took the mound and threw 91 pitches in five innings. Unfortunately, the Orioles had no problem with his stuff. They pounded out 10 hits and 4 runs against him, and the Royals were down 4-1 after six innings.

In the eighth inning, with the Royals still down by three, Shane Costa ripped a two-out double into the alley in right center, scoring Mark Teahen and Angel Berroa. Then Bell elected to pinch hit for John Buck with Joey Gathright. That’s right. Joey Gathright. John Buck is hardly a potential batting crown champion, but Joey Gathright looks quite comfortable as he hovers around the Mendoza line. Yeah, he’s a lefty and Chris Ray is a righty, but it’s not like Buck doesn’t see right handed pitching on a regular basis.

Anyway, the odd move didn’t pay off. Affeldt kept the Orioles scoreless and gave the Royals one final shot in the bottom of the ninth. German walked with one out, but Grudzielanek popped up to short. Matt Stairs had a chance to tie or win the game with an extra base hit. He roped a ball to left field that nearly got over Luis Terrero’s head, but he made the grab and the game was over.

A few things to note:

--Jeremy Affeldt seems to have made some corrections and he’s throwing the ball well again. He’s only given up two runs in July and he’s seen his ERA dip from a bloated 6.56 at the end of June to 5.90.

--The Royals walked four more times last night. That puts them at 315 walks on the season, good for 20th place in MLB and 8th in the AL. Not bad for a team that was swinging at 58 foot curve balls on a regular basis a couple of months ago.

--We’re short handed at first base right now since trading Graf. Mientkiewicz re-injured his back a couple of nights ago and that means that Matt Stairs is the only first baseman on our roster who can play right now. Sounds like Bell may use German in a pinch, which may or may not work out, but I can’t figure out why Andres Blanco was called up, given that German is our utility infielder, when what we really need is an extra first baseman, at least until Mientkiewicz is ready to go again.

Tonight, Jimmy Gobble (3-3, 4.88) goes against Rodrigo Lopez (6-11, 6.73).

Oh, and if you’re interested, Mark Teahen will be available in an online chat at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. Looks like you’ll need to register with MLB.com, if you haven’t already, if you want to participate.