Game 32: Los Angeles @ Kansas City

Game Date: May 6, 2008
Angels 5, Royals 3 / Box Score
WP: Oliver (2-1), LP: Bannister (3-4), SV: Rodriguez (14) 
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 14-18

The Royals had their chances tonight. Nick Adenhart couldn't make it through the fifth inning before getting the hook even though he had a 4-3 lead. But Brian Bannister got knocked around tonight by the Angels in a game that's not going to be easy to forget. He gave up five earned runs on 13 hits and two walks. Garret Anderson drove in all five runs against Bannister.

But like I said, the Royals had their chances. With one out in the fourth inning and Miguel Olivo on second base, a pitch got away from Jeff Mathis, the Angels catcher, and Olivo tried to advance to third. The problem was, the pitch didn't get far away enough from Mathis, and Olivo was a dead duck at third base. Alberto Callaspo drew a walk after that and then Joey Gathright singled through the hole on the left side of the infield. I doubt if Olivo would have scored on the play, or even tried, but he would have been at third with one out when Mark Grudzielanek launched a fly ball to right field that was plenty deep enough to score Olivo.

I'll get to another blown opportunity in a minute. But first I have to comment on Trey Hillman choosing to pitch to Garret Anderson in the seventh inning with two outs and a guy on third. Why not just intentionally walk Anderson and take your chances with Brandon Wood? Anderson had already hit a home run and a single off of Bannister. But Hillman chose to have Bannister pitch to Anderson and Anderson singled in another run to make it 5-3.

Okay, on to another blown opportunity in the Royals' half of the seventh. Mark Teahen was up with one out and the bases loaded, but he struck out. Wow. You've got to find a way to get a guy home in that situation. But the Royals would have fallen a run short anyway because they went in order in the eighth and ninth inning.

The Royals will try to salvage game three of the series tomorrow night. Zack Greinke (3-1, 1.47) will go up against Jered Weaver (2-4, 4.36). Greinke is 0-2 in his career against the Angels with a 8.49 ERA. Weaver is 2-3 against the Royals with a 1.93 ERA.