Royals Lose in 10

Game Date: April 12, 2007
Orioles 2, Royals 1 / Box Score
WP: Ray (1-1) LP: Standridge (0-1) 
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 3-7

Gil Meche was impressive tonight, but his six strong innings weren't enough to carry the Royals to victory. As soon as he left, Jimmy Gobble gave up a run and the game was tied 1-1 after seven innings. Joakim Soria was solid in the ninth, but the game went into the tenth and Jason Standridge gave up the game-winning hit to Jay Gibbons.

It's a shame that Royals hitters couldn't have given Meche and the pen a little more support. Ross Gload and John Buck each had two hits, Tony Pena had a single, and Mark Grudzielanek had a big RBI single in the sixth, but that was it for the offense. Mark Teahen, Mike Sweeney, Alex Gordon, and Emil Brown continue to struggle. None of them are over .200 for the season yet.

The obvious positive in this one was Gil Meche's performance. In his six shutout innings, he gave up seven hits and one walk. He adjusted nicely as the game went on. In the early innings, he came with hard stuff and when he wanted to change speeds, he used his curve ball. As he got into the order for the third time, he began to use his change up a lot more often and he kept hitters guessing. My only real complaint was that he only went six innings. He was pitching well and he'd only thrown 91 pitches. Surely he had one more inning in him--especially given how much the bullpen has been used in the past couple of games.

Tomorrow, Brandon Duckworth (0-1, 0.00) will go against Erik Bedard (1-1, 6.94). Duckworth is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA against the Orioles in his career. Bedard is 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA against the Royals.