Successful pitchers throw strikes.
That’s something the Kansas City Royals have struggled with during this long playoff drought. Ultimately, one could argue that it led to pitching coach Bob McClure’s end on manager Ned Yost’s staff.
For six innings Friday night, Bruce Chen threw enough strike to keep the Los Angeles Angels (and their new “Superman” slugger Albert Pujols) off balance, holding them scoreless.
Then came Aaron Crow, who struck out the side and things looked bright.
All of a sudden during Crow’s second inning of work, 1-0 and 2-1 counts became more commonplace. The trouble continued with Greg Holland. The Angels (who are good hitters even without Pujols) took advantage.
Boom. Five run inning.
The Royals offense, which had started and sputtered against a dominant Jered Weaver, never got a runner past second. The Angels cruised to a 5-0 Opening Day win.
For all of the (mostly deserved) praise the bullpen has received and all of the (mostly deserved) scorn the starting rotation has been given, the key is throwing strikes.
Chen won’t blow by hitters at 84 miles per hour. But he was content to let his defense do the work and located the ball pretty well.
When the pitching staff learns to locate consistently, the Royals will turn the corner.
Don’t worry, we have the offense.
Bruce Chen
Royals Beat Tigers, 7-3; No Comedy On The Field
Nice win for the Royals over the Tigers, 7-3. Outside of the mistake that Kyle Farnsworth made that resulted in a 3-run bomb for Detroit, the Royals pitching (both Bruce Chen and the relief corps) performed well. The offensive effort makes me think that if Zack Greinke had half this support, he might 3-4. Maybe? Hmmm, maybe Zack should pitch in disguise and see what happens.
Luckily for Kansas City, the comedy was confined to the third-base dugout suite with several local comedians joined by Will Ferrell at the game. The segments with the comics and Fox Sports Kansas City’s Joel Goldberg were funny, but they bordered on too long. You would hope that if things on the field got really interesting that the FSKC director would get back to Ryan and Frank.
TGIF Links
Royals beat Tigers 7-3 before Sky Show honors 1985 champions
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as sung by Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis and Rob Riggle!
http://twitpic.com/1tzw63 (posted on Twitter by @HoltzyKC)
Will Ferrell not pictued because he didn’t sing.
Royals Pleased With Yost
What would you expect Dayton Moore to say?
Noel Arguelles: Arguelles (shoulder) shut down by Royals?
Not good news for the high-profile prospect.
Revive85.com 