Royals Manage Just Three Hits

Game Date: June 9, 2007
Phillies 4, Royals 0, Phillies 4 / Box Score
WP: Lieber (3-4), LP: Meche (3-6)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 23-40

Back to our regularly scheduled lethargy.

It seems like every time Gil Meche takes the mound, our offense just assumes he's going to toss a great game, so they can take the day off. Meche is getting just 3.46 runs per start in support, which ranks him as the second-lowest starter in the American League. He's certainly looked better than he did last night. He gave up four earned runs on eight hits in seven innings, but he did what you hope your number one guy will do. He found a way to keep his team in the game, even when he wasn't at the top of his game.

Unfortunately the Royals managed just three hits on the night.

My first question regarding the line up is, what in the world was Shane Costa doing in the clean up spot? And why was he DH'ing for Sweeney? Finally, why does Buddy Bell continue to put Alex Gordon in the fifth spot? He's showing signs of life at the plate, but he's hardly the type of protection a clean up hitter needs.

Joel Peralta looked tough in relief, going two innings without giving up any hits. But in the end, the Royals couldn't jumpstart their offense.

This afternoon, Jorge De La Rosa (4-6, 4.60) goes against a familiar Royals foe in Jamie Moyer. De La Rosa is 0-0 in his career against the Phillies with a 0.00 ERA (in 2.2 innings of work). Moyer is 14-8 against the Royals with a 3.32 ERA.