Burgos Does it Again

Game Date: August 11, 2006
Game Score: Indians 4, Royals 3 / Box Score
WP: Cabrera (2-2), LP: Burgos (2-5)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 41-74

How many more times is Buddy Bell going to hand the ball to Ambiorix Burgos after the Royals have worked so hard to get a lead—only to watch Burgos throw it away?

Burgos fools nobody and he doesn’t throw strikes. Not a great combination. He entered the game tonight in the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead. After somehow getting one out, he gave up a single to Ryan Garko, and then another single to Ramon Vazquez. Then he walked Aaron Boone. And Grady Sizemore had little problem dropping a ball in the left field corner up against the wall—driving in all three guys on base and ending the game in walk off fashion.

We got a great start out of Adam Bernero (1 ER in 5.2 IP)—who has a great change up by the way. Joel Peralta and Jimmy Gobble pitched well in relief—giving up only one hit and no runs. Mark Teahen got three more hits. David DeJesus and Mark Grudzielanek had two hits each. And we should have won this game.

Joe Nelson closed games in Omaha. He had seven saves with a 1.97 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. His numbers in KC aren’t too shabby either; he’s 0-0 in 24 appearances with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Why not make him the closer? Would it be possible for him to pitch worse than Burgos has this season?

The Royals and Indians play two tomorrow in Cleveland. Odalis Perez (0-0, 7.00) is scheduled to start game one. The Indians have not announced their starter(s).