Put into an early 3-0 hold in the first inning, the KC Royals couldn’t complete the comeback against the Texas Rangers, as they lost 7-6.

In the “bullpen game”, Everett Teaford got the start and was shaky early. Ian Kinsler singled to lead off the game and Josh Hamilton walked two batters later. Adrian Beltre then hit a three-run homerun to put the Royals in a hole.

The Royals would score a run in the bottom of the inning off Rangers starter Ryan Dempster on a Billy Butler RBI double. The game would stay scoreless until the bottom of the 6th inning. In that inning, the Royals cut the deficit to 3-2 after back-to-back doubles from Butler and Salvador Perez.

However, the Rangers came right back against Vin Mazzaro, who was in his second inning of work. Michael Young homered to lead off the 7th inning. After a one out walk and a Mitch Moreland pinch-hit double, Mazzaro was lifted in favor of Aaron Crow. BIG MISTAKE. Crow allowed a sac fly and an RBI single to give the Rangers a 6-2 lead.

With Dempster gone from the game, the Royals went to work against the Rangers bullpen. First up was Alexi Ogando. Jeff Francoeur walked (yes I typed walked) and Eric Hosmer followed with an infield single. A wild pitch scored Frenchy and Hosmer moved to third base on Johnny Giavotella‘s fly out. A David Lough sac fly cut the deficit to 6-4.

But just like the last inning, the Rangers tacked on another run. Jeremy Jeffress was the new reliever and he immediately gave up a triple to Beltre. Nelson Cruz followed with an RBI single and the Rangers led 7-4. Jeffress escaped the inning by inducing a double play grounder.

The Royals came back with a run off Rangers reliever Mike Adams in the bottom of the 8th inning after Butler doubled (again), moved to third base on a wild pitch, and scored on Mike Moustakas‘ force out.

» Continue reading “Down Early, Royals Cannot Complete Comeback”

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There will be alot going on at Kaufmman Stadium in KC this weekend besides the three-game series between the Royals and the Chicago Cubs.

On Friday and Satuday nights, the Royals Wives will be hosting a food drive to benefit the Bishop Sullivan Center, which is one of the largest providers of emergency assistance in the KC area. It is their 29th annual event. In addition to the daily food collections, there will be special fundraisers and a premier concourse auction. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable, kid-friendly food items like peanut butter, canned soup, pasta, canned fruit, and canned vegetables. They will also be $20 grab bags featuring an autographed ball from a Royals players. For $10, fans can purchase an autographed Royals player card.

On Saturday, the Royals will host the Joplin Jersey Hand-Off fundraiser. Volunteers will be selling $1 instant-win scratch-off tickets with proceeds going to the American Red Cross and Royals Charities disaster relief efforts. Fans will have the opportunity to win one of the autographed ‘Teams Unite for Joplin’ jerseys from a Royals player. Following the game, winners will be escorted onto the field to receive the jersey from the player or coach that wore the jersey in St. Louis. You can bid to secure a spot on the field at http://www.royals.com/joplin.

Also on Saturday, is the Royals Hall of Fame induction. This year’s inductee will be pitcher Kevin Appier. He will be the 24th member. In his career with the Royals, Appier was 115-92 with a 3.49 ERA with 32 complete games. He had a club record 1,458 career strikeouts.

In 1993, his best season in the Majors, Appier was 18-8 with an American League-leading 2.56 ERA. He finished third in the AL CY Young award voting. During that season, he threw 33 consecutive scoreless innings.

Phew! That’s alot going on in one weekend. Now onto the actual games.

» Continue reading “Royals vs. Cubs Preview”