Royals Drop Fifth Straight

Game Date: June 2, 2009
Kansas City @ Tampa Bay
Rays 6, Royals 2 / Box Score
WP: Sonnanstine (4-5), LP: Davies (2-5)
KC Home Runs: Guillen (5), Olivo (5)
Royals Record: 23-28 / Record in June 0-1

Nearly everything is going wrong for the Royals right now—as evidenced by the game tonight.

They got a mediocre starting effort from Kyle Davies, except for the six walks he issued that came back to haunt him when Horacio Ramirez entered the game and allowed two of Davies’ walks to score. That was worse than mediocre. The bullpen woes continued beyond Ramirez. Roman Colon gave up two more runs.

We did get some good news today though regarding the pen. Joakim Soria is available. Sidney Ponson, who has been awful this season, was placed on the DL.

Back to the bad news again.

The Royals were facing a guy tonight who was about to removed from the starting rotation. Andy Sonnanstine had a 7.66 ERA entering the game, but even he was able to shut down our lifeless offense and presumably keep his spot in their rotation for now.

I know that Trey Hillman is trying different things to get the offense going, but I really don’t understand him hitting Alberto Callaspo second right now. He’s hitting .222 in the two-hole this season. When he hits seventh he’s hitting .344. And while Hillman is at it, why not hit DeJesus in the lead off spot since he’s accustomed to it and because his OBP is .400 in that spot this season? Maybe move Mitch Maier to the two-hole.

The Royals have lost 10 of their last 12 games and they now find themselves in fourth place, 5.5 games behind the Tigers. I keep thinking that the team can’t possibly keep playing so poorly in every facet of the game. Maybe that’s my way of coping.

Tomorrow night in Tampa, Brian Bannister (4-2, 3.64) will go up against Jeff Niemann (4-4, 4.44). Bannister is 1-2 in his career against the Rays with a 4.42 ERA in 18.1 IP. Niemann has never faced the Royals.