Greinke Rocked by Tigers

Game Date: May 6, 2007
Tigers 13, Royals 4 / Box Score
WP: Durbin (2-1), LP: Greinke (1-4)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 10-22

The irony of it all.

Chad Durbin, a former starter for the Royals who never showed a lot of promise, got the start for the Tigers and beat Zack Greinke, the guy who has shown a lot of promise, but can't seem to figure out how to transition from promising young starter to a legitimate number two or three guy.

Early on this season, I was convinced that Greinke had it figured out. His first two starts against Boston and Toronto were phenomenal. He gave up just two earned runs in 13 innings of work. But then he got hit hard by Detroit on April 16, and with the exception of a good start in Minnesota on April 26, it's been down hill ever since.

He really struggling with his control. He's not walking a ton of guys, but he's missing out over the plate and he's paying the price. Bell said that Greinke is "wild in the strike zone." That sounds too crazy to be true, but actually I think it is true in Greinke's case.

Yesterday, he gave up three two-run home runs in the second inning without walking anybody. He only lasted four innings and he saw his ERA go up by just over a full point to 5.71. As soon as Scott Elarton or Luke Hudson are ready, Greinke will probably move to the bullpen.

The only real positive in this game was the fact that the Royals were down 13-0 going into their half of the eighth inning and they didn't quit. They scored two in the bottom of the eighth and two more in the bottom of the ninth. It's a small consolation, but a consolation nonetheless.  

The Royals are off today. Tomorrow they'll begin a new series at home against Oakland. Jorge De La Rosa (3-2, 3.38) goes against Chad Gaudin (1-1, 2.70) on Tuesday night. De La Rosa is 0-0 in his career against the A's with a 1.80 ERA. Gaudin is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA against the Royals.