Meche Gives up 3 HR in Loss

Game Date: April 7, 2007
Tigers 6, Royals 5 / Box Score
WP: Maroth (1-0) LP: Meche (0-1) SV: Jones (2)
Royal Home Runs: Reggie Sanders (1)
Royals Record: 2-3

Gil Meche challenged Tiger hitters today, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but they were up to the task—starting with Gary Sheffield who took him deep into a stiff wind in the first inning. And then in the third, Meche went right at guys again. Monroe doubled to lead off the inning. And after Meche got Brandon Inge to ground out, Granderson, Polanco, and Sheffield singled. Ordonez hit a sacrifice fly and the Royals were down 4-1.

The Royals had a big third inning too. Pena started things off with a single. I was impressed by his at bat because after he fell behind 1-2, he stayed back on a change up and was able to take it up the middle for a hit. He has a long swing, but he’s showing signs of patience, and that’s always a good thing. After he singled, DeJesus doubled, and Grudzielanek got him home with a ground ball out. After Sweeney made an out, Reggie Sanders hit a 1-0 pitch for a two-run home run to left field.

Unfortunately, the Tigers came right back and hit a solo home run in the fourth and then again in the fifth. The Royals put one more on the board in the bottom of the sixth, but they fell a run short.

Gil Meche’s line certainly wasn’t good—six runs, eight hits, two walks, four strikeouts, and three home runs—but he did go seven innings, and he challenged hitters. He just didn’t have great stuff and Tiger hitters knew it. You’d like to see Meche figure out how to get guys out anyway, given that he’s our ace, but let’s be honest, he’s not really an ace. Joel Peralta was impressive in his two innings of work—giving up no hits and one walk, and striking out three.

Tomorrow, Brandon Duckworth (0-0, 0.00 ERA) goes against Jeremy Bonderman (0-0, 4.50).