Game 6

Game Date: April 6, 2008
Royals 3, Twins 1 / Box Score
WP: Tomko (1-0), LP: Bonser (0-2), SV: Soria (3)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 4-2

Brett Tomko was better today than any Royals fan could have imagined, the bullpen was spectacular again, and Alex Gordon's two-run single in the second inning was all the run support the pitching staff would need to help the Royals go 4-2 on their first road trip of the year. And now they head home to face the evil Yankees for the home opener at the re-vamped K on Tuesday afternoon.

Tomko threw 92 pitches in just five innings worth of work, but he kept the Twins from scoring, and ultimately that's what counts. He gave up six hits and issued one walk while striking out three. Ron Mahay gave up a run in two innings of work and the combination of Leo Nunez, Jimmy Gobble, and Joakim Soria closed the door on the Twins over the final two innings. So far, the Royals bullpen has allowed just two runs in 17 innings (a 1.05 ERA).

Joey Gathright played in place of David DeJesus again and he went 0-for-4 at the top of the lineup to drop his average to .167. Alberto Callaspo played second and was 2-for-4 in the number two hole. Mark Teahen hit third again and was 0-for-4. Billy Butler was 3-for-4 and is now hitting .400. And Alex Gordon, hitting sixth, was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The Royals will be off tomorrow, but they better get a lot of rest, because they will play 13 games over the next 13 days that includes a swing out to the West Coast for games against Seattle, Los Angeles, and Oakland.

On Tuesday, Brian Bannister (1-0, 0.00) will go up against Phil Hughes (0-0, 3.00). Bannister is 0-1 with a 12.60 ERA in his career against the evil Yankees. Hughes is 0-0 with a 11.57 ERA against the Royals.