Royals Finally Beat the Tigers

Game Date: July 16, 2006
Game Score: Royals 9, Tigers 6 / Box Score
WP: Elarton (4-9), LP: Miner (6-2), SV: MacDougal (1)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 32-59

The twelfth time was the charm. The Royals snapped the Tigers’ 10-game home winning streak, and finally put up a win against Detroit for the first time this season in twelve attempts. As almost always is the case—this game came down to pitching.

Elarton wasn’t great, but he was good enough. He only gave up three hits in six innings, but he also walked three guys and gave up two home runs. All in all though, you’ve got to be happy if you can keep this lineup down long enough to stay in the game, and that’s what Elarton did. He left with the Royals leading 7-3.

David DeJesus was back in his customary spot at the top of the lineup and he produced, going 4-for-6. He set the table for the first Royals’ run in the third inning with a leadoff single. The Royals scored four runs in the third inning on four hits and an intentional walk to Mark Teahen. Two of the hits—one by Esteban German and the other by Joey Gathright—came with two outs in the inning.

Gathright sliced a ball down the left field line in the fifth inning and it got by Marcus Thames. I thought Joey might round the bases for an inside the park home run, but he ended up at third. His triple also came with two outs and it scored two more runs.

Emil Brown was the next guy to drive in a run with two outs, this time in the sixth inning. So, this was more like the Royals we saw at the end of the first half—getting key hits with two outs and pitching just well enough to win.

Doug Mientkiewicz was back in the lineup today. Matt Stairs more than adequately filled in for him over the past few games. Matt showed that he can still pick a ball out of the dirt, and everyone knows that he can still hit. Angel Berroa missed his second straight game with a sore rib muscle. Tony Graffanino filled in for him.

With the Royals up 7-3 in the seventh inning, Bell gave the ball to Elmer Dessens and he had his second straight bad outing—giving up three earned runs in an inning. Burgos pitched the eighth inning—walking a guy of course, before getting out of it. And Mike MacDougal picked up his first save of the season by pitching a perfect ninth inning. Nice to see Mac back.

The Royals head to Boston next, where they’ll begin a new series tomorrow night. Luke Hudson (2-3, 5.79) goes against Tim Wakefield (7-8, 4.05). Hudson is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA in his career against the Red Sox. Wakefield is 10-5 with a 3.56 ERA against the Royals. Surely, Allard Baird will be watching the game with interest now that he’s a “special-assignment scout” under Theo Epstein.