Game 144: Kansas City @ Minnesota

Game Date: September 10, 2008
Twins 7, Royals 1 / Box Score
WP: Slowey (12-9), LP: Davies (6-7) 
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 61-83

You can add one more American League pitcher who has our number: Kevin Slowey. He's faced us three times this season and he won all three games. In fact, he has been so dominant against us that he hasn't even given up more than one run in a game against us. He is 12-9 with a 3.63 ERA overall though, so at least we aren't the only team who can't figure him out.

This game is yet another in a long line of recent games in which we were out-pitched and out-hit. The Royals managed just six hits last night and it would be nice if we could say that we are in evaluation mode and therefore are playing a lot of young guys, but that's not the case. Alberto Callaspo is playing out of necessity after the injury to Mark Grudzielanek and Jason Smith is seeing action because Alex Gordon went down. Beyond that, you're seeing a lot of regulars every night and they just aren't getting the job done.

If you're looking for a positive, maybe one can be found in Jimmy Gobble's recent performances. He gave up two hits in 0.2 innings last night, but he didn't give up any runs. In his three appearances since being recalled in early September, he hasn't give up a run. The last time he gave up a run was that disastrous games against Detroit on July 21 in which he gave up ten runs. That performance landed him on the DL. Since coming back, he's dropped his ERA by over a run, but it is still 10.21. There's only so much you can do when you've given up 31 earned runs in 27.1 innings.

I hope your expectations aren't high for the game this afternoon. Brandon Duckworth (2-1, 6.60) goes up against Francisco Liriano (5-3, 3.33). Duckworth is 1-1 in his career against the Twins with a 3.93 ERA in 18.1 IP. Liriano is 2-1 against the Royals with a 4.73 ERA in 13.1 IP.