Royals With Third Straight Series

Game Date: June 17, 2007
Royals 5, Marlins 4 / Box Score
WP: Bannister (4-3), LP: Olsen (5-6), SV: Dotel (5)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 28-42

Esteban German came up big in the bottom of the sixth inning yesterday. With the score tied 4-4, he plugged the gap in right center with two outs and Tony Pena on first. Pena scored what proved to be the winning run. And it was a nice conclusion to the homestand in which the Royals went 6-3, winning all three series. 

Brian Bannister struggled, and once again his stuff looked adequate at best, but he kept the Royals in the game long enough to give them a chance to win. Zack Greinke came on in relief of Bannister and was outstanding over two innings, striking out two and not giving up any hits. Octavio Dotel was able to nail down his fifth save of the season and lower his ERA to 2.79.

While the hitting wasn't exactly explosive, Alex Gordon made a contribution by going 2-for-4 with an RBI (to bring his average to .215) and Tony Pena actually appeared to shorten his swing a little yesterday as he went 2-for-4, including a bunt single that set the table for German's game-winning double.

The Royals are off to St. Louis where they'll begin a new nine-game road trip. Tonight, Odalis Perez (3-7, 6.19) goes against Adam Wainwright (5-5, 4.66). Perez is 2-4 in his career against the Cardinals with a 9.32 ERA. Wainwright is 1-0 against the Royals with a 1.42 ERA.