Royals Win Series in Boston

Game Date: July 18, 2007
Royals 6, Red Sox 5 / Box Score
WP: Perez (5-8), LP: Tavarez (5-8), SV: Dotel (10)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 41-53

Are you starting to believe that the Royals have finally reached the point of being competitive? After winning the series in Boston tonight, I'm not sure how you could conclude otherwise. The Royals have won 12 of their last 19 games. Some of their young hitters are finding their way. Our bullpen continues to be outstanding. And our starters, as much as they are struggling, are finding ways to keep us in ball games.

The bullpen got the job done again tonight after Odalis Perez had to leave after just five innings. The Royals were up 6-5 at the time and that turned out to be the final score as the combination of David Riske, Jimmy Gobble, Joakim Soria, and Octavio Dotel shut down the Red Sox potent offense.

Billy Butler continued to swing the bat like a healthy Mike Sweeney. He was 2-for-3 tonight with two RBI and one BB to bring his average to .311. Nobody has ever questioned whether the guy was going to hit at the major league level, but tonight he even got the job done with the glove. He played first base and made a nice pick in the hole and then tossed the runner out.

Alex Gordon was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, brining his average to .240. Mark Grudzielanek continues to contribute. Tonight he was 2-for-4 with an RBI. He also made a nice leaping catch on a line drive hit over his head.

The Royals are off tomorrow. They head to Detroit where they will open a new series on Friday night. Gil Meche (6-6, 3.69) will go up against Kenny Rogers. Meche is 5-4 against the Tigers in his career with a 3.89 ERA. Rogers is 20-14 against the Royals with a 3.82 ERA.