Royals Take Two

Game Two:

Game Date: August 18, 2006
Game Score: Royals 5, A’s 3 / Box Score
WP: Burgos (3-5), LP: Street (4-4), SV: Nelson (2)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 45-79

Jorge De La Rosa struggled with his control in this one, but in spite of walking four guys, he only gave up one run in five innings. But he faltered in the sixth inning—loading the bases without getting any outs before being yanked. Ambiorix Burgos came in and did a great job in only allowing one of those runners to score.

Esteban Loaiza looked like the Loaiza of old against us. He struck out seven and gave up no earned runs in 6.2 innings. Thankfully his pitch count was high (110), so he was forced to leave the game.

Things looked bleak on the top of the eighth inning when Frank Thomas blasted a two-run home run off Burgos to give the A’s a 3-1 lead, but the Royals saved the best for last. Andres Blanco singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Then David DeJesus singled. Blanco scored on a fielder’s choice to make it 3-2 Oakland. Huston Street entered the game for the A’s and was greeted by Mark Teahen with a single to put runners at the corners with one out. Then Mike Sweeney did it again. He doubled to left field and drove in two runs to give the Royals a 4-3 lead. Emil Brown hit a sacrifice fly to score Joey Gathright (who pinch ran for Sweeney), and Joe Nelson made the 5-3 lead stand up.

Tonight, the Royals send Mark Redman (7-7, 5.93) against Barry Zito (12-8, 3.83). I’m planning to be at the K tonight. Hopefully I can snap a couple of decent photos to post here soon.

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Game One

Game Date: August 18, 2006
Game Score: Royals 7, A’s 1 / Box Score
WP: Hudson (6-4), LP: Blanton (13-10)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 44-79

Luke Hudson rebounded nicely last night from his disastrous start on Monday, during which he gave up 10 earned runs in the first inning. Hudson threw a strong seven innings against the A’s last night and he only gave up five hits and one earned run.

The Royals had their offense clicking in game one. Mike Sweeney was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Emil Brown was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Ryan Shealy was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI. Joey Gathright was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI. And Mark Teahen and Paul Bako both had two hits.

Gobble and Peralta were tough in relief—giving up a total of only one hit in the two innings they pitched. And with the win, the Royals finally beat the A’s at home for the first time since May 31, 2003—a stretch of 12 straight losses.