De La Rosa Dominant in Win

Game Date: April 22, 2007
Royals 3, Twins 1 / Box Score
WP: De La Rosa (2-1), LP: Ortiz (3-1), SV: Soria (2)
Royal Home Runs: Gload (1)
Royals Record: 6-12

Jorge De La Rosa had better command today than he's ever had. He got ahead of hitters with his fastball and then he went to his change up (that looks more like a split finger fastball). And he kept hitters guessing after he got ahead. At one point, he retired 16 guys in a row. They finally broke through for a run against him in the sixth inning, but it wasn't enough. De La Rosa gave up just one run on five hits and one walk in eight innings--the longest outing of his brief career.

Joakim Soria came in throwing strikes and he picked up his second save of the season.

The Royals didn't have a great day offensively, but Ross Gload's first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third inning, was all they needed. Mike Sweeney was 3-for-4 with an RBI and he raised his average, which was quite dismal just a week ago, to .269. Looks like he's finally getting caught up after not getting many at bats during Spring Training.

Mark Teahen played center field after David DeJesus was a last minute scratch. Teahen didn't have any problems out there. In fact, he even made a good catch. And he went 2-for-4 at the plate.

Ryan Shealy was back in the line up after getting a few games off to "clear his head." He went 1-for-2.

Tomorrow night, the Royals begin a short two-game series at home against the White Sox. Gil Meche (1-1, 2.22) goes against Mark Buehrle (1-0, 2.08). Should be interesting to see what Buehrle does after pitching a no-hitter the other night. Meche is 5-2 in his career against the White Sox with a 4.62 ERA. Buehrle is 15-6 against the Royals with a 3.26 ERA.