Game Date: August 1, 2008
White Sox 4, Royals 2 / Box Score
WP: Vazquez (8-9), LP: Hochevar (6-9), SV: Jenks (22)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 50-60
The Royals lost more than the game last night.
Did you see Mark Grudzielanek's injury occur? Nasty stuff. Ross Gload and Grud were chasing a pop up in short right field and Gload looked like he bailed out at the last minute and when he hit the ground, he fell on the back of Grud's legs and turned Grud's ankle something fierce. It made my stomach queasy. But Grud hobbled off the field with some help and he was putting some weight on his injured leg. X-rays were negative, but he's experiencing swelling. I'm guessing that it'll take a few days before we see him back in the lineup.
David DeJesus also left the game with an ankle injury. He jammed his ankle going back to first base on a pick-off attempt. He too is experiencing swelling and is considered day to day. So, the Royals might have a makeshift line up in tonight.
This game turned out to be the Ken Griffey Jr. show. The new acquired outfielder was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.
Luke Hochevar had a decent outing going until he ran into trouble in the sixth. I'm not sure why Hillman left him in the game after he gave up a single, a wild pitch, and another single during that inning, but he did leave him in and the White Sox expanded their lead from 1-0 to 4-0 by the time Hochevar got out of the inning.
The Royals began to claw their way back in the sixth. Mike Aviles drew a walk, Grud singled, and Billy Butler drove in Aviles with a single. Alex Gordon followed Butler with a sacrifice fly and Grud scored. The Royals got something going in the seventh as well. Ross Gload singled to lead off the inning. John Buck walked. But Hillman elected to play small ball with Esteban German--who couldn't get a bunt down, and indeed ended up striking out after he fouled a bunt off on strike three. Turns out that the bunt sign wasn't on once the count got to 3-2, but German tried to bunt anyway. Mitch Maier and Aviles followed with ground outs and the threat was over.
So the winning streak is over and now the Royals will look to get back on track tonight. Kyle Davies (4-2, 4.34) will go up against Mark Buehrle (8-9, 3.69). Davies is 0-1 in his career against the White Sox with an 8.10 ERA in 10.0 IP. Buehrle is 17-7 against the Royals with a 3.31 ERA in 228.2 IP.
1 comment:
I didn't get to watch but Denny's description of Grud's injury didn't sound good.
German bunting on his own!
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