Game Date: July 12, 2009
Kansas City @ Boston
Red Sox 6, Royals 0 / Box Score
WP: Beckett (11-3), LP: Chen (0-4)
KC Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 37-51 / Record in July 4-8
I was all for giving Bruce Chen a shot in the rotation. If he pitched well, he’d stick around, if not, then back to Omaha he would go. I’m hoping he’s headed to Omaha as we speak. His 0-4 record and 7.20 ERA tell the story. He simply cannot keep his change up down and nearly every time he leaves it up somebody hits it hard.
But this loss wasn’t all his fault. Robinson Tejeda pitched poorly in relief of Chen. The offense only managed three hits against Josh Beckett, who is having a great season. Twice though the Royals had a runner on third with less than two outs and they failed to get even one of them home. Even Joakim Soria pitched poorly.
So, we’ve limped to the All-Star break with a team that looks remarkably similar to previous versions. Last season, after 88 games the Royals were 39-49 compared to their 37-51 record this season. At this point in the 2008 season, the Royals had scored 360 runs. This season we’ve scored 346 runs. Will the addition of Alex Gordon and Yuniesky Betancourt make a huge impact in the second half and turn things around?
I doubt it.
Gil Meche’s back is probably going to be an issue to some degree or another for the rest of the season. Sidney Ponson is probably going to get another shot in the rotation after the break. The Royals are last in the AL in OBP (.312) and it may get even worse with Betancourt playing every day. And let’s face it, Dayton Moore is floundering. He’s losing the confidence of the fans.
Thankfully, we get a break from it all for a few days.
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