Game 57: Cleveland @ Kansas City

Game Date: June 1, 2008
Royals 6, Indians 1 / Box Score
WP: Bannister (5-6), LP: Byrd (2-5)
Royal Home Runs: Guillen (7), Grudzielanek (1)
Royals Record: 23-34

This looked more like the Royals we expected when the season started. The Royals got a strong effort Brian Bannister, who gave up just one earned run on five hits and one walk in 7.1 IP, a home run from Jose Guillen, and a two-run double from Alex Gordon. Throw in a home run from Mark Grudzielanek as icing on the cake and we have ourselves a victory.

Here's what Banny said after the game:

"With that thing ending yesterday, it was just nice to go out there," Bannister said. "I think everybody was relaxed today. Everybody was having fun. It showed up in the hitting. It showed up in the defense. It showed up in my control and my pitching."

So now the Royals have won back to back games and it's safe to look at their record again. They are currently 23-34, which is a .404 winning percentage. That means they are on pace to win 65 games. That isn't acceptable in anybody's mind. Let's just hope that June is better than May was.

The Royals are off tomorrow. On Tuesday they'll begin a new series in Chicago. Zack Greinke (5-2, 2.88) will go up against Gavin Floyd (5-3, 3.22). Greinke is 2-6 in his career against the White Sox with a 4.16 ERA in 67.0 IP. Floyd is 0-1 against the Royals with a 3.38 ERA in 8.0 IP.