Royals Rocked Early, Slip in Wild Card Chase
Daily Clips
September 3, 2017
LOCAL
Royals rocked early, slip in Wild Card chase
September 3, 2017By Shane Jackson and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals' young arms struggle in playoff crunch
Garcia labors in MLB debut, chased in 1st inning vs. Twins
September 3, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals rest Herrera with mild forearm strain
September 3, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Kennedy looks to help Royals gain in WC race
September 3, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
A Royal beating: Garcia is crushed in 17-0 loss to the Twins
September 3, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals’ Kelvin Herrera could miss three days with forearm strain, leaving hole at closer
September 3, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Former Royal Paul Schaal, the man who George Brett replaced, dies at 74
September 3, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Lifelong Royals fan from England visits Kauffman Stadium, pens thank you to KC
September 3, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
MINORS
Iowa Holds Off Omaha 7-3
Toups & Dozier homer, 9th-inning comeback falls short
September 3, 2017Omaha Storm Chasers
Travs Blank Naturals, 1-0
Arkansas pitching staff throws its 10th shutout of the season
September 3, 2017By Steven Davis/Arkansas Travelers
MLB TRANSACTIONS
September 3, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Royals rocked early, slip in Wild Card chase
September 3, 2017By Shane Jackson and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Right-hander Kyle Gibson was backed by a potent offensive display, as the Twins rolled to a 17-0 win over the Royals on Saturday night at Target Field. It was the largest shutout in Twins history and the Royals' worst shutout loss.
Minnesota holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Angels for the second American League Wild Card spot and is one game back of the Yankees for the first Wild Card, while Kansas City dropped to 4 1/2 games back. The 17 runs were the most allowed by the Royals this season.
"It was a nice response after a game where we came up a little short last night," manager Paul Molitor said. "One of those games where [you] give pretty much everyone a [game] ball tonight, because it was a team effort across the board."
The Twins gifted Gibson with 10 runs in the first two innings, including a four-run opening frame against Royals left-hander Onelki Garcia. In his first Major League start, Garcia recorded just one out and allowed four runs. Garcia faced six batters, allowing five to reach. Rookie Andres Machado, who followed Garcia, lasted just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four hits and six runs in his Major League debut.
On Machado, Royals manager Ned Yost said, "It's tough. We were trying to stop the bleeding there. He's a strike thrower with good stuff, but he just couldn't get ahead. He was trying to get ahead, and up here, you got to get ahead in the count."
Minnesota tacked on six runs in the second, sparked by Joe Mauer's RBI single against Machado. Mauer finished 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Brian Dozier launched a three-run homer in the fourth, while Eduardo Escobar clubbed a solo shot in the fifth and a three-run homer in the seventh. Escobar also notched a triple, becoming the first Twins hitter with two homers and a triple in a game since Jason Kubel on Sept. 23, 2008.
Gibson, who posted a 3.90 ERA in five starts in August, started off September with another strong outing. He scattered five hits across six frames to go with no walks and five strikeouts. Gibson has recorded three straight quality starts for the first time since July 2015.
Taylor Rogers, Buddy Boshers and Nik Turley combined to allow just two hits over the final three innings to complete the shutout.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Opening outburst: The Twins sent eight batters to the plate in a four-run first inning, which included three extra-base hits. Mauer's RBI double extended his season-high hitting streak to 11 games. Mauer last hit safely in 11 consecutive outings between July 17-30, 2015. Byron Buxton, who had been sidelined with a left hand contusion, knocked in Mauer with a triple. Buxton raced to third in 10.52 seconds, which is the fastest time to third tracked this season and the second-fastest since Statcast™ was introduced in 2015. Jorge Polanco (double) and Mitch Garver (single) then chased Garcia from the game.
"That was a big bounceback from last night," Gibson said. "Sometimes that can really take the air out of a team the next day. It was a good response for a team that's in the hunt like us and a great way to start the game off."
Six-pack: Minnesota followed up the first inning with a six-run second, featuring 11 batters. Following back-to-back walks to begin the frame, the Twins recorded three straight singles -- via Mauer, Buxton and Polanco -- to plate three runs. Escobar then smacked a two-run triple. The Royals recorded their first out of the frame on the eighth batter as Eddie Rosario capped the surge with a sacrifice fly.
"It makes it tough when you fall behind," Yost said. "What was it, 10-0, before we even got an out in the second inning? It makes it tough."
QUOTABLE
"It's just frustration. That's all it is. We're in a tough spot right now. We're obviously pretty late in the season where we can't afford to give up that many games. They just jumped on us early today. There's really no turning back after that first inning." -- Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Mauer's RBI single in the second moved him further up the club's all-time leaderboards. Mauer is now tied with Justin Morneau for fifth on the Twins' all-time RBIs list (since 1961) with 860.
The Royals gave up their most runs in a game since a 19-1 loss to the Indians on May 16, 2011. In that game, Vin Mazzaro gave up 14 runs in 2 1/3 innings, although he didn't start.
GOODRUM MAKES DEBUT
Niko Goodrum, who replaced Dozier at second base in the sixth, went 0-for-2 in his Major League debut.
WHAT'S NEXT
Royals: Right-hander Ian Kennedy (4-10, 5.47 ERA) will start the series finale against the Twins on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. CT. Kennedy, who has not won in six straight starts, gave up six hits and seven runs over 2 2/3 innings on Monday in a 12-0 loss to the Rays.
Twins: Right-hander Ervin Santana (14-7, 3.27) will look to build off his strong August, in which he posted a 2.95 ERA over six outings, in Sunday's series finale at Target Field. Last time out, Santana allowed three runs in 6 2/3 frames in a win over the White Sox. He is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA against the Royals this season.
Royals' young arms struggle in playoff crunch
Garcia labors in MLB debut, chased in 1st inning vs. Twins
September 3, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
For the third time in a week, the Royals were seemingly out of a game by the third inning.
After back-to-back 12-0 losses earlier this week, they were routed in a 17-0 loss to the Twins on Saturday night.
"It makes it tough when you fall behind," manager Ned Yost said. "What was it, 10-0, before we even got an out in the second inning? It makes it tough."
The Royals fell to 4 1/2 games behind the Twins for the second American League Wild Card spot and the reason behind the latest blowout loss has many tentacles. Injuries have decimated their rotational depth to the point that they turned to left-hander Onelki Garcia, a 28-year-old and a one-time Dodgers prospect who was signed last fall and pushed into his first Major League start on Saturday.
Garcia wasn't nearly up for the challenge, getting just one out through his first six batters and falling behind, 4-0. His replacement, rookie Andres Machado, fared no better in his Major League debut, going two-thirds of an inning and giving up six runs.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity that Kansas City gave him to be able to get this start today," Garcia said through interpreter Pedro Grifol. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the job done. But I'm grateful for the opportunity."
The Royals had limited organizational options other than Garcia. Rookie left-hander Eric Skoglund started last Sunday's game at Cleveland and was ineffective in a 12-0 loss, and thus is a bullpen arm now.
Left-hander Danny Duffy is on the disabled list. Right-hander Trevor Cahill just came off the disabled list and isn't built back enough in terms of arm strength to start -- Cahill gave up a three-run homer in relief on Saturday.
Newcomer Sam Gaviglio, just claimed off waivers from the Mariners, wasn't available because he threw over 70 pitches on Thursday.
And Yost also wanted to give right-hander Ian Kennedy and left-hander Jason Vargas, both of whom have struggled mightily lately, an extra day of rest rather than go to a four-man rotation this week, which would have avoided the Garcia start.
Yost, though, wasn't making excuses or complaining about pitching depth.
"We didn't pitch good tonight," Yost said. "Go get them tomorrow."
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer wasn't pointing fingers afterward, either.
"We've got guys that are coming up and they're trying to do whatever they can to help us," Hosmer said. "They're going up against a team that's been playing pretty well as of late. Good teams like the Twins will do what they did tonight and put some runs on the board."
Royals rest Herrera with mild forearm strain
September 3, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals closer Kelvin Herrera underwent an MRI on Saturday and it showed a mild strain in his lower forearm, manager Ned Yost said.
Trainer Nick Kenney said Herrera likely would be shut down for about three days to get rid of the inflammation.
Herrera came out of Friday night's game against the Twins with a 3-0 count on Jorge Polanco with two on and two out in the ninth. Left-hander Scott Alexander came in and eventually secured a 7-6 win.
It was the second time in less than 10 days that the injury forced Herrera from a game in the middle of facing a hitter. Herrera also came out of the Aug. 22 game against the Rockies with two out and the bases loaded, and a 2-0 count on Pat Valaika.
"It causes me to lose control after several pitches," Herrera said on Saturday.
Kenney said the injury is something they can manage for the rest of the season.
"It's in the deep flexor in his wrist [area]," Kenney said. "Very mild strain. He's had it for a while. He has full strength. Full range of motion. When it gets tight, he loses a little bit of motor control in his fingers. Deeper into a game, 25-30 pitches, it affects him. A little bit of fluid that is affecting his nerves. What we have to do is eradicate that fluid."
Yost said he will not assign any one reliever to replace Herrera as the closer over the next few days.
"Just mix and match," Yost said.
Kennedy looks to help Royals gain in WC race
September 3, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy will square off against Twins righty Ervin Santana when this crucial series between American League Wild Card contenders concludes in Sunday's rubber game at Target Field.
Minnesota holds a 1 1/2-game lead for the second Wild Card spot and is 4 1/2 games ahead of Kansas City following Saturday night's 17-0 win to even the series.
Kennedy (4-10, 5.47 ERA) draws the start for the 15th meeting of the season between the AL Central rivals. Kennedy has faced the Twins three times in 2017, going 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. He was lifted after 2 2/3 innings during his last start, in which Kennedy allowed seven runs on six hits to the Rays. It marked the third straight game he was pulled before completing five frames.
Santana (14-7, 3.27) will look to build off his strong August, in which he posted a 2.95 ERA over six outings. Over that span, Santana lasted at least six frames and gave up three or fewer earned runs in all but one game. In his last start, Santana gave up three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 frames in a win over the White Sox. This season, Santana is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in two games against the Royals.
Three things to know about this game
• Santana has at least six strikeouts in each of his last seven games. Astros right-hander Justin Verlander has the longest active streak with nine consecutive outings.
• Kennedy has faced the Twins 10 times in his career, going 4-3 with a 4.42 ERA. Santana is 6-10 with a 4.59 ERA in 23 career meetings against his former club.
• Twins second baseman Brian Dozier owns a .238 career batting average with a pair of homers vs. Kennedy. Royals outfielder Melky Cabrera is hitting .341 with three doubles in 41 career at-bats against Santana.
A Royal beating: Garcia is crushed in 17-0 loss to the Twins
September 3, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
There were many questions to ponder Saturday evening at Target Field, as the Royals suffered a 17-0 dismantling at the hands of the Minnesota Twins, as another blowout piled up on a pleasant September night, as a baseball team, once well positioned for another postseason appearance, was thoroughly lambasted by the team it is chasing in the American League wild card race.
Could Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, who was four for four after the fourth inning, threaten the all-time record of seven hits in a nine-inning game? That was kind of interesting, but no. Could the Royals (66-68) lose by at least 12 runs for a third time in six games after 12-0 losses to Cleveland and Tampa Bay earlier this week? That seemed feasible, and, yes, Kansas City became the first major-league team since at least 1913 to pull that off.
But, really, the most prudent question was this: Why? Why did the Royals, in the midst of a playoff chase and facing the Twins in a critical three-game series, offer journeyman Onelki Garcia his first major-league start? Why did it come to this, Garcia getting crushed for four runs while securing just one out in the bottom of the first inning, with the mop-up brigade of rookies Andres Machado and Eric Skloglund allowing an additional nine runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief?
Machado, a 24-year-old right-hander with a big arm, was summoned from Class AAA Omaha on Friday to offer bullpen depth. Skoglund has been largely ineffective since his scintillating debut against the Detroit Tigers. Yet the night was lost on Saturday when Garcia, a 28-year-old Cuban who spent last year in the Mexican League, was exposed under an all-out assault in the first.
“We didn’t pitch good tonight,” Royals manager Ned Yost said, in a terse postgame session with reporters.
As Garcia warmed up Saturday evening at Target Field, the answer, or a portion of it, had already been stated by Yost earlier this week. The rotation was a man down after Danny Duffy landed on the disabled list and Skoglund was crunched in a spot start on Sunday in Cleveland.
But the schedule had provided a day off on Thursday, a gift that would have allowed the Royals to keep their top four starters on regular rest, starting Ian Kennedy on Saturday and JakobJunis on Sunday. The rotation would not have needed another starter until Tuesday at Detroit. It seemed like a workable plan.
Yet Yost and the Royals staff saw value in offering Kennedy and Jason Vargas extra rest in September, citing their workloads and the fatigue that surfaces this time of year. Yost didn’t reference their recent performances, though perhaps he could have done so.
Kennedy posted a 9.57 ERA in 26 1/3 innings in August, while Vargas put up a 7.18 mark. The collapse of the starting rotation has been a driving force in the Royals’ late-summer evolution from top wild-card contender to bruised and battered. In the moments after the loss, Yost was asked twice whether the loss reflected the lack of depth in the pitching staff, whether through injuries or ineffectiveness. Both times Yost refused to bite.
“I feel like we didn’t pitch well,” Yost said.
There is a lack of depth, of course. On Saturday, Duffy and starter Nathan Karns remained on the disabled list. Trevor Cahill, acquired from the San Diego Padres at the deadline, just returned and surrendered three runs in relief. Other options, such as Brian Flynn, Miguel Almonte and Kyle Zimmer, are either on the 60-day disabled list or not pitching right now.
So this is reality. The Royals’ championship core, most of which will be headed to free agency when the season ends, now appears closer to becoming a carcass. In the course of one week, they have lost seven times in nine games, been outscored 62-18 and fallen 4 1/2 games behind the Twins with 28 games to play.