Game 8

Game Date: April 9, 2008
Royals 4, Yankees 0 / Box Score
WP: Greinke (2-0), LP: Farnsworth (0-1), SV: Gobble (1)
Royal Home Runs: Buck (1)
Royals Record: 6-2

Neither rain, nor surprise starter, nor $195 million payroll could stop Zack Greinke and the Royals tonight. With the rain pouring down, Greinke mowed down the evil Yankees for eight innings without giving up a run, lowering his ERA to 0.60.

Oddly, Joe Girardi scratched scheduled starter Ian Kennedy shortly before game time "because of anticipated rain." After the rain let up, he put Kennedy into the game and he gave up two earned runs in three innings. I don't know what his reasoning was, but you have to love the way it worked out.

The Royals got on the board for the first time in the fifth inning when John Buck hit a solo home run to center. Jose Guillen singled in a run during that same inning. Ross Gload doubled in a run in the sixth. And Tony Pena's fielder's choice in the sixth led to another run.

The Royals drew six walks. Mark Teahen drew three of them himself. And Joey Gathright stole his sixth base of the season (he was also caught stealing once). He's on an incredible run right now, especially considering how poor he was at stealing bases last year (he stole 9 bases in 17 attempts).

Tomorrow night, the Royals go for the sweep. John Bale (0-1, 5.68) goes up against Andy Pettitte (0-1, 5.40). Bale is 0-1 in his career against the evil Yankees with a 4.66 ERA. Pettitte is 11-3 against the Royals with a 3.15 ERA.