Royals Win Ugly

Game Date: September 8, 2006
Game Score: Royals 10, Red Sox 9 / Box Score
WP: Burgos (4–5), LP: Timlin (6–5), SV: Nelson (6)
Royal Home Runs: Sweeney (6)
Royals Record: 53-89

The Royals finally won an ugly game—even after their bullpen tried to give another one away by giving up six runs in the eight inning. Can someone please tell me what Scott Dohmann is doing in the major leagues with an 8.40 ERA? He was one of the relief pitchers who gave up three runs in the eight. Joel Peralta came in behind him and did the same thing. And the Royals went from leading 8–3, to being behind 9–8.

The Red Sox brought in Mike Timlin to save the game in the ninth. Emil Brown singled to lead off the inning. Ryan Shealy was hit by a pitch. And Andres Blanco got down a sacrifice bunt with two strikes. Not the best bunt in the world, but it moved both runners. Unfortunately, Shane Costa struck out and that put the pressure on, of all people, Joey Gathright to get a two-out hit. He came through and doubled to right field. Brown and Shealy scored to recapture the lead, 10–9. Joe Nelson did his job and the Royals beat the Red Sox again.

To Gathright’s credit, he saw that Timlin was throwing cutters to Costa and he was expecting more of the same in his at bat. He swung at the first pitch and won the ball game. Besides Gathright (who was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI), several other Royals’ hitters had big nights. Esteban German was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Mark Grudzielanek was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Mike Sweeney was 3-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBI. And Brown and Buck both had two hits.

Angel Berroa had two more errors to give him 18 for the season. I think that pretty much locks up the fact that he’s going to have more errors than walks (12) for the season. Throw in his .230 batting average and you probably have the worst all-around starting shortstop in baseball. I’m hoping that we’re giving Blanco a serious look right now because I’d hate to think that Berroa is going to be our starting shortstop in 2007.

Tonight, Luke Hudson (7–5, 5.21) goes against Josh Beckett (14–10, 5.11). Hudson is 1–1 in his career against the Red Sox with a 4.67 ERA. Beckett is 1–0 against the Royals with a 1.29 ERA.

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