Athletics: 3 Royals: 0
Dan Straily and the A’s got a little revenge tonight, shutting out the Royals for nine innings and holding them to only six hits. The A’s offense didn’t do much better, combining for only five hits, but those five hits were good for three runs and a win.
The game was pretty quiet until the sixth inning when Coco Crisp hit a fly ball to right field, which was initially called a double, but under review the call was reversed to a home run. The A’s scored again in the seventh inning when Yoenis Cespedes hit his fifteenth home run of the season, it was a solo shot.
The A’s scored their final run of the game in the eighth inning when Derek Norris lead off the inning with a walk, then stole second base, and Jemile Weeks singled him in. This was Norris’ fifth steal of the season and I still chuckle every time he does it.
The biggest story of the night was Dan Straily, who held the Royals to three hits, two walks and struck out two over 6.2 innings. It was a big turn around from his last start and with the bullpen’s help, he was able to collect his first Major League win.
The bullpen was pretty solid tonight, holding the Royals to only three hits, walking none and striking out two. Sean Doolittle did get himself into a bases load jam in the seventh when he came in to relieve Straily, but Jerry Blevins came in and recorded the final out of the inning by getting Chris Getz to fly out to center.
A’s Extras:
- Grant Balfour recorded his ninth save of the season when he pitched a clean ninth inning, he allowed no hits and no walks.
- Josh Reddick returned to the line up tonight after missing yesterday’s game after suffering from complications due to a tooth extraction. He served as DH and went 1-4 with 2 strike outs.
- According to Susan Slusser, Seth Smith is close to returning to the team. He is eligible to come off of the disabled list on Saturday, but will play in a couple of rehab games before coming back.
For more on the Kansas City Royals, visit Drinking the Royals Blue-Aid.
