Royals and Twins Split

Game Date: September 2, 2007
Royals 8, Twins 1 / Box Score
WP: Bannister (12-7), LP: Bonser (6-12)
Royal Home Runs: Gordon 2 (14), Buck (17)
Royals Record: 61-75

On paper, Gil Meche is the ace and the much hoped for stopper on this ball club. In reality, Brian Bannister has taken over both rolls. He won his fourth straight game last night in dominating fashion, going eight strong innings and give up just one earned run. He's 7-2 in his last 10 starts and he's 8-3 when following a Royals' loss this season. Buddy Bell is calling him "the best pitcher I've ever been around." And with an ERA nearing the two's, he has to be a legitimate candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year award.

After the game, Torii Hunter talked about how good Bannister was, and in the process, he took an underhanded swipe at the Royals: "Bannister is good. You guys don’t realize that. Just because he’s with the Royals doesn’t mean he’s no good. He throws cutters away, fastballs in, he mixes his pitches well. He hits his spot. He knows where his pitches are going. His dad is Floyd Bannister, so I think he knows what he’s doing."

Did you have a chance to see Alex Gordon's home run in the second inning? It was a monster-shot to the upper deck in right field at the Metrodome. If you close your eyes and let your imagine run wild, it might just remind you of a couple of George Brett's famous dingers. Just one inning later, Gordon went deep again, giving Bannister a 6-0 lead, which was more than enough. Every Royal in the line up had at least one hit (they had 16 total). Ross Gload and Tony Pena had two hits. And Shane Costa and John Buck had three.

The Royals begin a new series in Texas tonight. Zack Greinke (5-5, 4.07) will go against Kameron Loe (6-10, 5.35). Greinke is 1-2 in his career against the Rangers with a 5.48 ERA. Loe is 0-1 against the Royals with a 12.60 ERA.