MLB Game Recaps: Kansas City Royals Walk-Off Winners
Kansas City Royals fans haven’t had much to celebrate this year. They have the All-Star Game: Check. They have a
winning team – wait. They have a clear direction – wait. The fact, is the Royals aren’t the worst team in the league, but they are very Royalesque. Last night, the fans at Kauffman Stadium were given a little something to smile about on their way home.
The Royals entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 3-2. Mitch Maier started the inning by striking out against John Axford – but made it to first. Axford’s pitch, while a strikeout, was ruled a wild pitch and got away from catcher, Martin Maldonado. With Maier on first, the next two Royals batters made quick outs, but they weren’t done. Jarrod Dyson walked, pushing Maier to second. Brayan Pena smacked a pinch-hit single next. Maier came around to score the tying run, then Dyson scored as the Brewers tried to throw out Maier.
It was a strange turn of events, but the Royals earned the win. Even though Axford got three outs, he blew the save. Even though Maier struck out, he scored the tying run. Even though it was just a single, Dyson scored from first.
On the Brewers side of things, Ryan Braun hit his 16th home run of the year. It was a solo shot in the fourth inning. Shaun Marcum had a nice game despite getting the no decision. He tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowed four hits, gave up two runs, and struck out five.
The win moves the Royals to 27-34 on the season. However, they are still nine games under .500 at home. With a record of 11-20 at home, Kansas City has the worst home record in the league.
National League
Houston – 6
San Francisco – 3
Not only did the Astros get some hits today off the Giants, they got the win and avoided the sweep. J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam and the Astros never looked back. Wandy Rodriguez pitched six solid innings in the win, allowing three runs.
Interleague
Cleveland – 5
Cincinnati – 12
There were 29 hits in the game combined and 17 runs. Pitching was not the story in this game as neither starter lasted five innings. The Reds collected a season high in hits and completed the sweep of the Indians. The Reds lead the NL Central by three games.
Detroit – 5
Chicago (N) – 3
Justin Verlander looked more like him old self yesterday. He pitched eight innings and allowed just two runs in the Tigers win. It was Verlander’s first win in a month.
New York (N) – 9
Tampa Bay – 6
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit two home runs in the game, and the Mets completed the sweep of the Rays. Nieuwenhuis led the game off with a home run, then later smacked a two-run shot. David Wright went 3 for 4 with 3 runs-scored.
Oakland – 8
Colorado – 2
41 runs combined were scored in the three-game series between the A’s and the Rockies. The A’s scored 26 of them in the sweep, including eight yesterday. Jarrod Parker threw seven innings of shut-out ball and reduced his ERA to 2.82 on the season.
Pittsburgh – 6
Baltimore – 12
The Orioles swept the Pirates thanks to a rout yesterday. Mark Reynolds went 4 for 5 with 3 runs-scored and 2 RBI. Erik Bedard of the Pirates couldn’t get out of the fourth inning. He allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Chicago (A) – 3
St. Louis – 5
David Freese was 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI. Jason Motte picked up his 13th save of the season, and the Cardinals took two out of three from the White Sox.
Arizona – 11
Texas – 3
Arizona avoided the sweep in powerful fashion. They scored a total of one run in the previous two games but were able to explode for 11 yesterday. Justin Upton and Miguel Montero went 2 for 5 each, and Lyle Overbay went 3 for 5. Daniel Hudson held the Rangers to three runs in his seven innings of work.
Philadelphia – 6
Minnesota – 1
With Roy Halladay sidelined, Joe Blanton decided to step up for the Phillies. Blanton pitched a complete game, seven-hitter. Jimmy Rollins led the pace for the offense. He went 3 for 5 with 2 runs-scored.
San Diego – 6
Seattle – 2
The Padres completed the sweep of the Mariners and earned themselves their first series sweep of the season. Edinson Volquez pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, and just about everyone in the Padres lineup contributed to the offense.