Royals Split the Series

Game Date: August 13, 2007
Royals 6, Blue Jays 2 / Box Score
WP: Perez (7-11), LP: Litsch (4-5), 
Royal Home Runs: Teahen (6)
Royals Record: 52-65

The way that Odalis Perez wins games doesn't seem like it should ever work. He gives up too many hits, too many runs, and he doesn't pitch deeply enough into games, but once in a while something like last night happens and the offense carries him to a win.

Perez wasn't horrible last night. He pitched five innings and gave up two earned runs on eight hits and he lowered his ERA to 5.78. He did strike out Frank Thomas with the bases loaded to end the fifth inning, so I guess that's something.

The bullpen was spectacular again. Joel Peralta, Jimmy Gobble, Zack Greinke, and Joakim Soria completed the final four innings by only allowing one hit and one walk. According to this article, over the past 17.2 innings, the bullpen has given up just one earned run, which is good for a 0.51 ERA.

But the night belonged to Mark Teahen, who finally hit his six home run. He's been stuck on number five since May 29. What I liked about his home run was the fact that he didn't put a home run swing on the ball. When he first hit it I thought it was going to be a line drive and it was, sort of; the ball just kept carrying until it disappeared over the wall. Teahen also made a great sliding catch on the right field line in the second inning.

Billy Butler drove in two runs and so did Ross Gload. Before the season, who would have ever thought that Butler and Gload would be playing first base while Ryan Shealy played in Omaha? Truth be told, both Butler and Gload are doing a good job over there. And to be fair, Shealy is hitting .308 over his last 10 games in Omaha and he has three home runs during that stretch, so maybe he's finding his stroke again.

The Royals begin a 9-game road trip tonight in Arlington. Kyle Davies (1-0, 4.66) will go up against Kevin Millwood (7-9, 5.90). Davies is 0-1 in his career against the Rangers with a 23.14 ERA (that's not a typo). Millwood is 3-3 against the Royals with a 4.46 ERA.

NOTE: You may have noticed that I haven't posted about every game lately. That'll probably continue for the next week or two and then I'll be back on my regular posting schedule.