Too Many Walks, Too Many Home Runs

Game Date: July 7, 2009
Kansas City @ Detroit
Tigers 8, Royals 5 / Box Score
WP: Verlander (9-4), LP: Chen (0-3), SV: Rodney (18)
KC Home Runs: Butler (8)
Royals Record: 36-47 / Record in July 3-4

Bruce Chen didn’t help his chances of staying in the starting rotation with this performance: seven earned runs on four hits and five walks. He also gave up three home runs. Is Chen another one of those guys on the list of Royals’ starters who can put up solid numbers in Omaha but then can’t do it at the big league level? I guess we’ll see, but his 6.88 ERA can’t be acceptable for too long.

The top of the order for the Royals continues to hit well. The combination of David DeJesus, Willie Bloomquist, and Billy Butler went 6-for-14 with 4 RBI and a walk. Unfortunately, the middle of the order didn’t do much. Mark Teahen, Jose Guillen, and Mike Jacobs were just 2-for-10 with one RBI. Guillen got both hits and produced the RBI. He removed himself from the game with an injury, but I haven’t heard his status. Have you?

Newly acquired Ryan Freel got the start in center and went 1-for-3 with a run scored. I echo the sentiments of many regarding the Freel trade—it doesn’t make a lot of sense if everybody else stays in place—but it was fun to watch him get out and run the bases yesterday. He can fly. And you have to like his .355 career OBP. But he has no power, he doesn’t drive in runs, and he’s 33 years old. He also hasn’t played more than 75 games in one season since 2006 with Cincinnati. Throw in the issues he’s had off the field and the bad seems to outweigh the good. But now that he’s here, I’m hoping he can get on base and make things happen.

Tonight, Zack Greinke (10-4, 2.00) will go up against Luke French (0-0, 2.35). Greinke is 10-4 against the Tigers in his career with a 2.69 ERA in 97.0 IP. French has never faced the Royals.

Last night in Oklahoma City, Brandon Duckworth was hit hard before being ejected. Check out the article I wrote about it.