Game Date: July 23, 2008
Tigers 7, Royals 1 / Box Score
WP: Galarraga (8-4), LP: Greinke (7-7)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 45-57
If this is starting to feel a lot like last season, there's a good reason; the Royals have the exact same record this season as they did last season after 102 games. And if that isn't enough of a reason to be bummed out, then consider the fact that the Royals almost got no-hit again last night. Armando Galarraga (a rookie) took a perfect game into the seventh inning. David DeJesus broke it up with a single to right field. Imagine what this offense would look like without DeJesus in the lineup. Scary stuff.
Let's take a look at how bad the Royals are offensively. They are 13th out of 14 teams in runs scored in the AL; they are 12th in home runs; they are tied for 7th in batting average; 13th in on base percentage; and dead last in walks (no other team is even close). Could be worse—especially if Seattle weren't in the AL, but here's the funny thing—if you look at the 2007 statistics, they aren't much different, even though our young guys have another year under their belt, and even though we spent $36 million to land Jose Guillen. In 2007, the Royals were 13th in runs scored; 14th in home runs; 11th in batting average (but they have the exact same average as this year--.261); 13th in on base percentage; and 13th in walks. So much for an improved offense.
Just glance down the box score to get a good idea about how bad the Royals are right now. Alex Gordon and Mark Teahen are hitting in the .240s. Biller Butler was so bad earlier this season that he was sent to Omaha for a month. Even now, he's hitting just .251. Our fifth highest average in the lineup last night was Ross Gload, who is hitting .259. On and on it goes.
The starting rotation isn't pitching well right now either. And you get the feeling that we are going to be subjected to miserable baseball with all sorts of crazy lineups in August and September.
Oh well, I guess we are used to it.
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