Inge Hits Walk-off HR

Game Date: July 21, 2007
Tigers 10, Royals 8 / Box Score
WP: Durbin (7-3), LP: Soria (1-3)
Royal Home Runs: Buck (16)
Royals Record: 42-54

Even though the Tigers found a way to pull this one out with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning by Brandon Inge, surely they know by now that this isn't the same Kansas City Royals team they faced over the past few years. The Tigers are tough. Arguably, they are the best team in baseball, so it's nice to see the guys in blue competing against them.

What wasn't so nice to see was another horrible outing by Jorge De La Rosa. He gave up seven earned runs (including two home runs) in just 4.1 innings. His ERA in his four July starts is 6.64. He wasn't much better in June. He had a 6.41 ERA in six starts. For that matter, he wasn't good in May either. He had a 6.09 ERA in six starts. His only decent month was April (3.82 ERA in five starts), but that seems like a distant memory right now.

The Royals didn't have any problems getting their hits against Justin Verlander and company yesterday. Mark Teahen was 2-for-5. Billy Butler was 2-for-4 with an RBI. John Buck was 2-for-4 with a home run. And Tony Pena was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Royals fell behind, but scored two in the top of the ninth to tie the game 8-8. The game came down to Joakim Soria against Brandon Inge with one out and one on in the bottom of the tenth. Inge got the best of him this time. It was the first home run Soria has ever given up.

This afternoon, Brian Bannister (5-6, 3.87) goes against Nate Robertson (6-6, 4.53) in Detroit. Bannister is 0-1 in his career against the Tigers with a 3.86 ERA. Robertson is 4-3 against the Royals with a 4.60 ERA.