Game Date: May 27, 2007
Mariners 7, Royals 4 / Box Score
WP: Washburn (5-4), LP: Perez (2-5)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 19-32
I'm not sure what anybody can say to analyze the stretch the Royals are in right now. They aren't pitching or hitting well.
From the pitching standpoint, our starters are being jumped all over in the early innings (they've given up 25 runs in the first five innings over the past four games). So the first couple of times through the line up, either one of two things is at work. Either our scouts are doing a poor job of detecting the hitting tendencies of the guys we're facing or our pitchers are doing a poor job of executing the game plan that has been developed around our scouting reports.
I'm inclined to believe it's the latter because our starting pitching was so good until this recent homestand. If the problem really is poor execution, I'm hoping that Bob McClure is putting in a little overtime right now during the pitcher's meetings to get the guys back on track.
It was nice to see the Royals make a small run at the Mariners in the late innings yesterday. At least we're not seeing signs that they've given up. Hopefully the recent winning streak boosted their confidence enough to help them see that this is a baseball team that can compete. But competing is no longer good enough. We need to be seeing gradual increases each season in the W column.
The Royals are on pace to win just 60 games this year, which would be two games worse than their record last season. I'm still convinced that this team is better than the 2006 version, but the only true test will be in wins and losses, and the jury is still out on whether the 2007 Royals will have a better record than the 2006 Royals.
The Royals begin a new series at home tonight against the Orioles. Scott Elarton (1-0, 6.00) goes against Steve Trachsel (3-3, 3.77). Elarton is 0-0 in his career against the Orioles with a 1.29 ERA (in seven innings of work). Trachsel is 0-3 against the Royals with a 5.51 ERA.
2 comments:
On a pace to win 60 games...I predicted 81 games.
Looking back over the season so far...I'm convinced the Royals are a better team this year. Definitely, more fun to watch.
And the Royals are just a clutch hit/clutch pitch/clutch catch away from having maybe 8 more game wins under their belt. Games that just barely slipped away.
The Royals have definitely been spanked by batters as of late.
But before i forget...and I know this sounds like whining (and I suppose it is)...but the umpire calls that could have gone either way and a few that have been down right bad calls must be frustrating our pitchers especially.
Last week I saw so many pitches by the Royals that should have been called strikes...and were completely dissed by the umps. Almost spiteful!! (not really, but I'm starting to get my bad call groan mojo working pretty good...of late.
Anyway...the next game is the beginning of a brand new win streak.
Thanks for your daily blog!
Most baseball people think that the Royals are improved this season and I think they are right. It hasn't shown up in the win column yet, but it might before the season is through.
We've had our share of bad calls lately, no doubt about it. But it's part of baseball. You have to figure out a way to overcome bad calls and so far, the Royals haven't done that.
Thanks for continuing to visit Royal Reflections. Always enjoy your comments.
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