Orioles Win the Series

Game Date: July 27, 2006
Game Score: Orioles 6, Royals 4 / Box Score
WP: Lopez (7-11), LP: Duckworth (1-5), SV: Ray (26)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 35-66

The Royals had no problems getting on base last night. They had 14 hits and 3 walks. But they never could get the big hit when they needed it. Mix in a couple of errors and one Jeff Conine who seems to continually haunt us, and it equals another loss to the Orioles.

Jimmy Gobble couldn’t make it past the fifth inning, again. He threw 94 pitches and gave up two earned runs. And I know I’ve said this a lot lately, but he’s a better middle relief pitcher than he is a starter. Joe Nelson continued to throw the ball well, going two-thirds of an inning without giving up any runs. His ERA now stands at 1.50. And Andrew Sisco threw two shutout innings. His ERA is nowhere near respectable, but at least it’s finally under 7.00 (6.80 currently). It wasn't good enough though. After the game, the Royals sent him to Omaha to make room on the roster for Odalis Perez, who is scheduled to start on Saturday.

Mark Grudzielanek was 3-for-5 with 1 RBI. Mark Teahen, hitting in the three hole, was 1-for-3 with 2 BB. Matt Stairs was 3-for-5 in the clean up spot. Shane Costa was 2-for-4. Paul Phillips was 2-for-4. And Angel Berroa drove in two runs on two sacrifice flies. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. Seven Oriole pitchers found a way to keep many of our baserunners from scoring.

Tonight, the Royals start a new series in Texas. Luke Hudson (2-3, 5.17) goes against Vicente Padilla (10-6, 4.00).