Game Date: May 31, 2009
Chicago @ Kansas City
White Sox 7, Royals 4 / Box Score
WP: Thornton (2-1), LP: Bale (0-1), SV: Jenks (12)
KC Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 23-27 / Record in May 11-17
All season I’ve been wondering what would happen after Zack Greinke gave up a few runs. We’re going to find out this weekend when he toes the rubber against the Blue Jays. But maybe in some small way, we’ve already found out.
After five inning yesterday, he’d given up four runs. He was over 90 pitches and his day appeared to be about over. And the stunner for me was seeing Scott Podsednik turn on him in the fifth inning and take him off the right field wall for a double. But he dug in and got through the next two innings without giving up a run. In fact, he sat the White Sox down in order in the sixth and seventh innings.
We all know what happened after the bullpen took over the game in the eighth and ninth innings. It was hard to watch, but not totally unexpected. John Bale is struggling right now and so is Juan Cruz. Cruz hasn’t looked right since he gave up four runs against Cleveland on May 21. Before that he had a 1.45 ERA, now it’s nearly 4.00. He’s given up seven runs in his last four innings of work.
But let’s be honest, the Royals aren’t excelling in any facet of the game right now.
They were outscored 23-9 by the White Sox this weekend. Before that they were outscored 22-11 by the Tigers. And before that they were outscored 12-3 by the Cardinals.
Their team ERA was 3.62 in April and 4.54 in May.
And the defense lately has been atrocious.
The Royals have won just two of their last ten games and unless we see improvement in all areas soon, this season could slip away in a hurry.
Tomorrow night in Tampa, Kyle Davies (2-4, 5.09) will go up against Andy Sonnanstine (3-5, 7.66). Davies is 0-1 in his career against the Rays with a 1.80 ERA in 5.0 IP. Sonnanstine is 1-1 against the Royals with a 3.48 ERA in 20.2 IP
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