Game 130: Detroit @ Kansas City

Game Date: August 24, 2008
Royals 7, Tigers 3 / Box Score
WP: Duckworth (1-0), LP: Rogers (9-11)
Royal Home Runs: Guillen (17)
Royals Record: 56-74

Sometimes inspiration comes from unexpected sources. Under normal circumstances, you could hardly call Brandon Duckworth's line inspirational (3 ER on 7 H and 4 BB in 5.0 IP). But given the condition of our rotation and the fact that Duckworth's numbers in Omaha this year aren't even close to good, you have to be happy with what he did yesterday.

Couple Duckworth's performance with the fact the Royals finally seem to have figured out Kenny Rogers and it led to a stoppage of the seven game losing streak. In honor of the win, I pulled out my calculator and determined that the Royals are now on pace to win 69 games this season--the same number as last season. You'll probably recall that the Royals had a colossal collapse last season in September (9-19) and they still won 69 games. Makes you wonder if the current team will even hit 69 wins this year.

The one thing we have to be happy about regarding the game yesterday is the fact that the Royals finally played situational baseball. With the Royals down 3-2 in the second inning, Mark Teahen hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Billy Butler. In the fifth, Esteban German tied the score with another sacrifice fly to center that scored Alberto Callaspo. And Mike Aviles raced home during the same inning on a wild pitch to give the Royals a 4-3 lead. And in the sixth inning, Joey Gathright scored on a ground out to short by Miguel Olivo.

And how about Callaspo at second? He looked comfortable there and he went 3-for-3 at the plate. If the guy can just find a way to stay out of trouble, he certainly has an opportunity to prove himself at the major league level with all of the injuries on the team.

Joey Gathright made his presence felt--both on the bases and in the outfield. He's certainly no replacement for Guillen's bat (Gathright ran for Guillen after Guillen pulled up lame at third in the sixth inning), but he's fun to watch.

The Royals begin a new series tonight at home against the Rangers. Gil Meche (10-9, 4.01) will go up against Scott Feldman (4-5, 5.15). Meche is 4-8 in his career against the Rangers with a 6.25 ERA in 72.0 IP. Feldman is 0-0 against the Royals with a 3.86 ERA in 14.0 IP.