Another day, another loss to Detroit as Royals drop into a tie for first
Inches.
That was likely the difference Tuesday night between a tremendous, uplifting three-run homer from Alex Gordon that would have given the Royals a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning, and a foul ball. Alas, the blast hooked foul, and the Kansas City Royals wound up with only one run in the inning and eventually fell again to Detroit, 4-2.
Here's the bad news: The Royals' second straight loss to Detroit in the series allowed the Tigers to pull even atop the American League Central.
For the second straight night the Tigers simply outplayed the Royals, playing better defense, hitting better and pitching better. In fact, that's been the theme all season between the two teams -- Detroit now owns an 11-4 edge in the season series.
Tuesday's game started much the same as Monday night's game with the Tigers jumping a Royals starter early.
Like Jeremy Guthrie the night before, Royals starter Jason Vargas nibbled and lacked command. Vargas threw 50 pitches in his first two innings and trailed, 3-0, a deficit Kansas City simply can't seem to overcome these days.
The Royals did mount a rally in the ninth against Tigers closer Joe Nathan, who has never lost to Kansas City, getting two runners on with none out. But pinch runner Jarrod Dyson got picked off yet again in a crucial situation -- the fourth time he has been picked off this year and the third time as a pinch runner in the ninth inning.
"I guess I lost focus," Dyson said on the FOX Sports Kansas City Royals Live postgame show. "No excuses.
"It was a do-or-die situation and I didn't get the job done."
3 UP
-- Infante's bat awakens. Struggling Omar Infante singled in the Royals' first run, and singled and stole a base in the seventh. He also hustled and beat out an infield hit in the failed rally in the ninth. On the downside, Infante booted a routine grounder on which he didn't appear to be able to bend over.
-- Gordon's approach. While the rest of the Royals seemed to hack at everything, Gordon was patient. He drew two walks and, as mentioned, almost blasted the Royals into the lead. Gordon, however, did strike out with two on and none out in the ninth off Nathan. Ouch.
-- Moose's hits. Mike Moustakas hit three balls very hard -- a line out to deep right, a liner up the middle for a single, and a shot into the right-field corner in the eighth that went for a double. The Royals sure could use someone -- anyone -- to get hot these last 2 1/2 weeks.
3 DOWN
-- The foul ball. Without doubt, the biggest downer was Gordon's long foul ball. After hitting the ball, Gordon dropped his bat and started jogging toward first while Tigers starter Max Scherzer slammed his fist into his glove in disgust. But the Tigers dodged a bullet when the ball hooked foul. We'll never know how much that could have changed the outcome of the game -- obviously, it would have given the Royals a 4-3 lead -- or even the outcome of the season. If that ball stays fair and the Royals win to keep their lead at two games over Detroit, you have to figure the Tigers would start having some doubt. Not so much now. For a moment, manager Ned Yost thought the play could be reviewed by the umpires, which they can do on home runs since the play isn't challengeable. "They all four thought it was a foul ball, so they didn't review it," Yost said on the FSKC postgame show.
Watch the Royals Live pregame and postgame shows before and after every Kansas City Royals game on FOX Sports Kansas City.
-- Wasted chance No. 1. The Royals had runners on first and second and none out in the second inning with a chance to make a statement. But Moose and Lorenzo Cain struck out, and Alcides Escobar fouled out. Ugly.
-- Wasted chance No. 2. The bigger blown opportunity came in the fifth. After Infante singled in a run, Gordon (who just missed the homer in this at-bat) walked, loading the bases. Scherzer appeared on the ropes -- but Sal Perez wouldn't take a pitch. Perez hacked at all four pitches he saw, none of which appeared to be strikes. Perez did end up hitting the ball hard, lining out to third. But it'd sure be nice if Perez could realize that in those situations that it's the pitcher who is feeling the heat, not the hitter, so be patient. Eric Hosmer could heed the same advice; he struck out on a pitch outside of the zone and the inning ended.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
