Game 97: Kansas City @ Chicago

Game Date: July 18, 2008
White Sox 9, Royals 5 / Box Score
WP: Buehrle (7-8), LP: Greinke (7-6)
Royal Home Runs: Butler (3)
Royals Record: 43-54

After driving nearly 3,000 miles, including stops in four different hotels, and so many cities that I lost track, I'm finally headed home this weekend. And, of course, that also means I'll be able to resume a more regular posting schedule. Since I've been on the road, I haven't seen one Royals game on television. I listened to a couple of games online, but that was hardly enough to satisfy my Royals fix.

So about the game yesterday…

What is up with Zack Greinke's lack of success at U.S. Cellular Field? After his loss there last night, he's 0-6 in his career there with a 7.78 ERA. I tend to think it's just a fluke that started with a couple of bad outings and once that happens it is easy to start to wonder about a place. I like the fact that Trey Hillman gave him the ball for the first game after the All-Star break though. Greinke deserved to be recognized as the ace of the staff after the numbers he put up in the first half of the season. Unfortunately, he just didn't have it last night. He gave up six runs on seven hits in the first inning alone.

The Royals mounted a mini-comeback in the sixth inning. David DeJesus reached on a single. Mark Teahen did too. And Billy Butler hit a three-run shot to left field to bring the Royals to within three runs (7-4). Butler drove in another run in the eighth inning, but obviously, it wasn't enough.

The Royals will try to even the series tonight when Gil Meche (6-9, 4.71) takes the mound against Gavin Floyd (10-5, 3.63). Meche is 6-3 in his career against the White Sox with a 4.38 ERA in 76.0 IP. Floyd is 1-0 against the Royals with a 2.57 ERA in 7.0 IP.