Tigers Salvage Final Game

Game Date: August 30, 2007
Tigers 6, Royals 1 / Box Score
WP: Bonderman (11-7), LP: Nunez (2-2)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 59-73

Leo Nunez seemed to be cruising along yesterday when the Tigers erupted for four runs against him in the fifth inning. Bell said that he fell in love with his change up that inning because he couldn't locate his fastball, so he threw the change too often. Whatever the case, it's all the run support that Jeremy Bonderman needed for the Tigers to salvage the final game of the series.

Billy Buckner pitched 2.2 innings in scoreless relief. Bell is considering giving him a couple of starts in September to see how he responds, but he seems to be leaning more toward protecting him in middle relief for the remainder of the season, which might not be a bad idea. If he comes into Spring Training with a lot of confidence, it may be all he needs to nail down a starting job.

We're poised to see the rosters expand to 40 men soon. But Ryan Shealy won't be one of them. He has just been placed on the 60-day DL with a left hamstring strain. So his disappointing season is over. You have to wonder what's next for Shealy. If the Royals resign Sweeney and Buckner works out at first, Shealy becomes expendable. Who would have thought that?

The Royals are going to play a double-header today in Minnesota. Kyle Davies (1-3, 7.48) will start game one this afternoon against Matt Garza (3-4, 3.16). Davies is 1-1 in his career against the Twins with a 4.35 ERA. Garza is 0-2 against the Royals with a 1.88 ERA. In game two, Gil Meche (7-11, 3.85) is matched up against Scott Baker (7-6, 4.42) tonight. Meche is 5-2 against the Twins in his career with a 4.22 ERA. Baker is 1-2 against the Royals with a 3.33 ERA.