Thursday, May 24, 2007

Royals Blast Their Way to Another W

Game Date: May 23, 2007
Royals 11, Indians 7 / Box Score
WP: Duckworth (2-3), LP: Lee (2-1)
Royal Home Runs: Grudzielanek (2), Sweeney (6), Gordon (3), Buck (8)
Royals Record: 19-28

Things are going so well for the Royals right now that Alex Gordon, who is hitting .195, is confident. He's talking about the team being on a roll and during a post game interview last night, confidence oozed out of him.

Justifiably so.

The Royals have won eight of their last ten games. They just won their third straight series. With last night being the exception, their starting pitching is keeping them in ball games, and the bullpen is getting the job done. Just last night, after Brandon Duckworth replaced a struggling Scott Elarton, he retired nine straight hitters.

And guys like John Buck are on the verge of career years. Buck has eight home runs now, which ties him with A.J. Pierzynski for the most dingers by catchers in the Major Leagues. He also has a .630 slugging percentage which is better than any other catcher in baseball. All of this begs the question--why is Buck hitting eighth in the line up?

The Royals go for the sweep tonight against the Indians. Jorge De La Rosa (4-3, 3.59) goes against Jeremy Sowers (0-4, 7.13). De La Rosa is 1-0 against the Indians in his career with a 7.53 ERA. Sowers is 1-1 against the Royals with a 3.27 ERA.

1 comment:

Casey said...

I'm right with them. The Royals are becoming a team!! No egos and plenty of moxie!. The tails they used to tuck between their legs...are wagging again, my babies!
Playing hard and having fun. They are reminding me of ballplayers from the 60's/70's.
And lately...they are not the "push-overs" that other teams look forward to playing.
Interesting observation on Catcher Buck...I did not realize he was one of the top batters at his position.

Luv your blog!

 
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