Game 24: Toronto @ Kansas City

Game Date: April 26, 2008
Royals 2, Blue Jays 1 / Box Score
WP: Hochevar (1-1), LP: Marcum (2-2), SV: Soria (6)  
Royal Home Runs: Guillen (2)
Royals Record: 11-13

That was the Luke Hochevar that we've all been waiting for. He got his sinker going and coaxed 11 ground balls and three strikeouts in six innings of work. Afterward he said it was the first time in the big leagues that he wasn't battling adrenalin. In fact, in a rather Gil Meche-like statement, he said this: "I like to pitch on the verge of a fight, but when I get over-zealous, I come out of my delivery and try to throw it 100 miles per hour. In all reality, I just need to keep the ball down and throw it over the plate."

One wonders if anger management won't be a requirement for Royals starters soon.

The Royals still didn't generate much offense--just five hits and three walks in fact. But an RBI single by Ross Gload in the fourth and a Jose Guillen blast to left field was all the Royals needed to win this one.

The bullpen did it's job as well. The combination of Ron Mahay, Leo Nunez, Ramon Ramirez, and Joakim Soria kept the Blue Jays off the scoreboard, giving up two hits and three walks in the process.

The Royals will go for the sweep this afternoon. Gil Meche (1-3, 8.00) will go up against Jesse Litsch (2-1, 6.16). Meche is 4-4 against the Blue Jays in his career with a 5.13 ERA. Litsch is 0-1 against the Royals with a 2.70 ERA.