Game Date: June 20, 2008
Giants 9, Royals 4 / Box Score
WP: Cain (4-5), LP: Yabuta (1-3)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 31-43
We haven't seen a six-game winning streak in a long time. In fact, you have to go back to the beginning of the 2003 season when the Royals won nine straight to open the season. It looked like we might finally push a winning streak past five last night, but then the wheels fell off.
Luke Hochevar started to leave pitches up in the middle innings and the Giants took advantage. With the Royals up 4-1 in the fifth, Hochevar gave up a walk to the lead off guy, two singles to the next two hitters, a sacrifice fly that brought a run home, and another single that tied the game. Trey Hillman removed him with two outs in the inning and Yasuhiko Yabuta got the final out.
With two outs in the sixth, Yabuta walked two guys and Carlos Rosa got the call and he was hit hard. A two-run double by Ray Durham, and another run scoring double by Randy Winn gave the Giants an 8-4 lead. I wish we would have left Rosa in Omaha and brought up Brandon Duckworth. I can't see the sense in rushing Rosa.
And I'm still having a hard time getting used to the lineup that Hillman instituted a few games ago. He's moved Mark Grudzielanek down to the fifth spot (Mike Aviles has taken over the two hole). And Ross Gload is hitting eighth. I like Grud in the second spot. I'd like to see Hillman move him back there...or maybe even hit him leadoff. I'd like to see what David DeJesus could do in the fifth spot. As for Gload, you can't have a first baseman hitting that low in the order. His .234 average, coupled with his lack of power, should have him sitting on the bench. He's at first for defensive reasons, but Alex Gordon is a good first baseman. Let's move him over there and put Mark Teahen back at third, where he's comfortable.
Tonight, Gil Meche (4-8, 5.12) will go up against Kevin Correia (1-4, 5.17). Meche is 1-0 in his career against the Giants with a 1.00 ERA in 9.0 IP. Correia has never faced the Royals.
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