Game 4

Game Date: April 4, 2008
Twins 4, Royals 3 / Box Score
WP: Baker (1-0), LP: Bale (0-1), SV: Nathan (2)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 3-1

Well, the first loss came much later than nearly everybody on the planet thought it would.

John Bale was far from impressive in his first start, but he probably wasn't as bad as his line looks. He gave up 10 hits, a walk, and four earned runs in 6.1 innings. Throw in some infield hits and a couple of bunts and you have one team out small-balling another team.

Scott Baker wasn't exactly stellar, but once he got the lead in the fourth inning, he settled in and at one point retired eleven Royals in a row. And when Gardenhire did go to the bullpen, they didn't look anything like the Tiger bullpen. The combination of Pat Neshek, and that funky delivery of his, and Joe Nathan shut the Royals down over the final 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit.

The Royals jumped out to an early 3-1 lead after two innings, but Bale couldn't hold it. The Royals ended up with eight hits in the game. Mark Grudzielanek was 2-for-4 and kept his average at .500 after four games. The guy is playing like he's 27 instead of 37. Billy Butler continues to hit, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, and the RBI came on a long at bat in the first inning when he fouled off five straight pitches with a 1-2 count before driving the ball back up the middle for a single.

Jimmy Gobble struck out all three batters he faced in an inning of work. And Ramon Ramirez finished out the eighth by getting the final two outs without give up any runs.

This afternoon in Minnesota, Gil Meche (0-0, 4.50) will go up against Livan Hernandez (1-0, 2.57).