Game 39: Detroit @ Kansas City

Game Date: May 14, 2008
Royals 2, Tigers 0 / Box Score
WP: Hochevar (3-2), LP: Verlander (1-7) SV: Soria (10) 
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 18-21

The Royals rotation continues to mature and improve. Tonight, Luke Hochevar went six innings in his fifth start of the year and he shut out the Tigers on just four hits. He struck out five and walked three and he lowered his ERA to 3.94. Not bad for a guy who started the season in Omaha.

Offense for both teams was a bit of a scarcity tonight. Not only did Hochevar pitch well, but Justin Verlander finally got his act together and had a good outing. But he did give up a two-run single to Joey Gathright in the second inning with one out and that's all the Royals needed.

What can you say about the bullpen? The combination of Ron Mahay, Leo Nunez, and Joakim Soria gave up just two hits and no runs over the final three innings.

Soria stretched his scoreless inning streak to 16.1 innings. You have to go back to September 22, 2007 to see when he last gave up a run. In case you are wondering, he gave it up to Detroit in Detroit. The last run he gave up at home was September 12, 2007 against Minnesota. His WHIP is 0.31. He's given up just four hits and one walk and we're in the middle of May. He's on one of the most ridiculous runs I've ever seen from a closer. Let's hope it lasts a while longer.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Royals will try to complete their second successive sweep of the Tigers this season. Gil Meche (2-5, 6.31) will go up against Kenny Rogers (3-3, 5.82). Meche is 6-4 in his career against the Tigers with a 3.83 ERA in 91.2 IP. Rogers is 20-17 against the Royals with a 3.90 ERA in 256.1 IP.