Royals Never in This One

Game Date: April 9, 2007
Blue Jays 9, Royals 1 / Box Score
WP: Burnett (1-1) LP: Perez (0-2)
Royal Home Runs: Buck (2)
Royals Record: 2-5

It's all about starting pitching, and we got very little of it tonight. Odalis Perez was chased from the game after just 1.1 innings. He gave up four earned runs on seven hits and a walk. It's a wonder that he didn't give up more. With two outs in the first inning, he gave up three straight singles without giving up a run--thanks to Emil Brown who threw out Vernon Wells at the plate by a mile.

Blue Jay hitters were all over Perez in the second inning. At one point, he allowed five guys in a row to reach base, but there was a controversial play that cost the Royals a run. With two outs and based loaded Lyle Overbay hit an apparent double down the right field line. A fan reached over the fence (why do fans do this? I just don't get it) and interfered with the ball. The umpire ruled that all three Blue Jays would have scored. Replays showed that the runner was close to half way to third base and had no chance of scoring. Buddy Bell got tossed for arguing the play.

A.J. Burnett was on and he simply shut down the Royals. He gave up just three hits (two of which were infield singles by Mike Sweeney) over 6.2 innings. The Blue Jays bullpen got the job done as well. John Buck hit a harmless solo home run in the seventh inning.

A couple of things to note about the game:

• Bell isn't planning to play Sweeney a lot during this series since it's on turf, but Mike did reach base four times tonight.
  

• Alex Gordon was 0-for-3 (he reached in the second when he was hit by a pitch) and he saw his average drop to .045. He had a couple of good swings--particularly in his first at bat when he worked the count full, but he still looks uncomfortable at the plate. He's not exactly tearing things up in the field either. He made his second error of the season and he bobbled another attempt before barely throwing a guy out at first.

The Royals finally have the advantage in a pitching match up tomorrow when Zack Greinke (0-1, 1.29 ERA) goes against Josh Towers (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Towers didn't even have a roster spot going into Spring Training, but he found a way to make the club. He hasn't pitched yet this season. Greinke is 0-2 with a 7.50 against the Blue Jays in his career. Towers is 2-0 with a 1.06 against the Royals.