Yosted

I haven’t posted about the Royals in a while BECAUSE THEY HAVE STUNK and it is painful to WATCH THEM SPIRAL AWAY FROM THE PLAYOFFS.

But they won last night, ending a 5-game losing streak, and I felt the game deserved to be discussed. Here are some thoughts:

First, the Royals won after only scoring 3 runs. It was their first win when scoring less than 4 all season. This is of course, after they finally lost when scoring at least 4 runs. They are currently 14-2 when scoring 4 runs, and 1-15 when scoring 3 or less. Not sure how to interpret all that.

Second, Jeremy Guthrie threw a solid 8 innings, giving up only 1 run, but only striking out 2. Wade Davis struck out 4 in only two innings. Not sure if that says more about Guthrie or Davis. Guthrie has given up the second most home runs in MLB since 2007 (Ervin Santana has given up the third most) and is not known for a good strikeout to walk ratio. Wade Davis looked like he was angry. He threw 24 pitches in two innings and 18 WERE STRIKES. 

Third, it was the Royals first ever win at Petco Park in San Diego. They were previously 0-7. I doubt there is any team in any sport in any country that has experienced as much futility as the Royals have. Even the Bad News Bears made it to a championship game, and their coach was a drunk. 

Fourth, the Royals hit a home run, their second game in a row with a 4-bagger. I could not believe it. Below is a picture of an actual Royals fan reaction to this:

Fifth, the Pittsburgh Pirates won last night after a call was overturned on replay review. Starling Marte was initially called out at home, the Pirates challenged it, then they WALKED OFF AS VICTORS. The Royals, around the exact same time of night, had a similar situation as Alcides Escobar was called out at home after he attempted to beat a throw from foul territory on the first base side. Replays made it appear that he was safe, which would have made the score 2-1 in favor of the Royals at the top of the ninth inning; however, Ned Yost had left his nutsack back in KC and did not challenge the call. THERE WAS NO LOGICAL REASON FOR NOT CHALLENGING THAT CALL. I would not feel any remorse if Ned Yost was fired for not CHALLENGING A CALL THAT COULD HAVE WON THE GAME. Below are pictures of actual Royals fans reactions when the bottom of the ninth inning started and Ned Yost HAD NOT YET CHALLENGED A CALL THAT COULD HAVE WON THE GAME:

As you can see, Royals fans were none too pleased after being "Yosted." Although they won the game anyway, it brings up a good question: Can the Royals make the playoffs with Ned Yost at the helm? Maybe I will address that in another post.

I hope the Royals win the series in San Diego this afternoon. I will be watching and live-tweeting since I have no life. Go Royals!

Drama, betrayal and revenge: A look at Royals' home runs

I don’t really feel like talking about the Royals’ woes today. They were fairly awful last night, mostly because they can’t hit with any modicum of power. It also feels like the Royals are incapable of generating winning streaks of more than 3 games, which is something they need to do to get ahead of Detroit. They can't win them all, but it would sure be nice to go on a tear and grab the lead in the AL Central.

  

It has been such a long time since I have seen a Royals home run that I have forgotten what they look like. Rather than whine about their futility, I thought I would provide some happy videos of Royals’ home runs, which are now on the endangered species list. Enjoy them while you can folks:

Here are three of the Royals' home runs during MLB All-Star games; George, Frank, and Bo. Classic. Kind of a long video but worth the watch.

 

Here's a "revenge" video of Alex Gordon smacking one against Zack Greinke at Kauffman in 2012. That's what you get for wanting to leave KC. Not the best quality but revenge always feels good, especially when you feel betrayed.

 For all you Yankee haters, here is a classic video of George Brett smacking 3 home runs. My personal favorite is the upper decker. Suck it NY.

Another oldie, but goldie: Willie Wilson inside the park, against the Yankees, no less. I was not able to embed this video for some reason, but check it out. If you don't get goosebumps watching him round third, you are not a Royals fan. 

If you asked me who my favorite Royals player was as a child, I would tell you Danny Tartabull. Here's why:

Finally, my favorite Royals' home run ever. Let me describe the scene, which is one of drama, betrayal, and revenge: It is Sunday, September 22, 2013, a beautiful day and Kauffman is packed. The Rangers are in town, and James Shields has pitched a fantastic game with the all-too-typical lack of run support. The score is 0-0 after 9 innings. The Royals had traded for Justin Maxwell at the trade deadline in July, and he had provided some decent at-bats, but nothing memorable so far. In the bottom of the 10th inning, after relievers Greg Holland and Tim Collins kept the Rangers off the scoreboard, Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff double to left field. The Rangers, who had signed former All-Star closer for the Royals Joakim Soria in 2012, decided to bring in the right-hander to face Billy Butler. Butler was intentionally walked to set up a double play; however, Salvador Perez didn't want any of that and hit safely into an infield single. This meant the bases were loaded with no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning against the pitcher who used to close these games out for KC. To add to the drama, the Rangers needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and it was the last home game of the season for the Royals (whose playoff hopes had already been crushed). 

I was watching the game from home in Lubbock, TX. I always enjoy watching Soria pitch, although I feel that he has not been the same since undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2012. Soria looked like he was re-gaining his dominant form as he got Mike Moustakas to pop out, then George Kottaras grounded out. Thus, there were two outs when Justin Maxwell stepped up to the plate. Since there were two outs, a flyout would end the inning, so Maxwell needed a walk or a hit for the Royals to win. Maxwell worked a full count, getting most of Kauffman Stadium on its feet for the final pitch. Soria knew he had to throw a strike as a walk would cost him the game. As he wound up, I could only guess what was going through Maxwell's mind, but the end result is a thing of beauty. There was absolutely no question that JUSTIN MAXWELL JUST OWNED JOAKIM SORIA AND THE RANGERS FOR ALL OF TIME AND THUS, THE LEGEND OF JUSTIN "SMACKS-WELL" WAS BORN.

 

 Here is another view of the home run:

 

And another view...just fantastic stuff. I wish he would hit some dingers this year. SIGH

 

Despite the Royals relatively short history as a franchise, and their total lack of home runs this year, you can see they have a rich history of drama, revenge, and betrayal. They will need some more of that (Omar Infante we are looking at you) to beat the stupid Tigers this weekend.

I have a PhD and Detroit sucks

    The Royals beat the Blue Jays again last night, putting them 2 games over .500 for the first time this season. They are currently in second place behind the evil Detroit Tigers who have played 3 fewer games because Detroit is a miserable city in the spring. I have never been there but you can trust me on this because I HAVE A PHD AND DETROIT SUCKS SO THERE.

    Despite the win, last night’s game was pretty frustrating for several reasons. First, we only got to see 5 innings of Yordano “Ace” Ventura. His stuff was a little off, and he basically did not throw any curveballs, but he still shut the Blue Jays out for all 5 innings.

    Second, Ventura’s replacement Danny Duffy was a total numbskull and was pulled after only two batters. He hit Melky Cabrera on the knee on the first pitch he threw, then walked Jose Bautista. See ya in Omaha.

    Third, Aaron Crow relieved Duffy and promptly allowed both inherited runners to score. Even though Crow’s ERA is 0.00000000, he has allowed pretty much every runner to score that he has inherited. Ugh. When I watch him pitch, all I can think of is this:

    Fourth, Wade Davis relieved Crow and promptly loaded the bases, including issuing a walk to Chris Getz, who has not had a base on balls since 2002 when he was playing high school ball. Davis redeemed himself by striking out the side, but sheesh, why did he have to make it so difficult?

    Fifth, the Royals produced only 6 hits against a crappy pitcher.  They were 2-8 with runners in scoring position, and Eric Hosmer was thrown out at home trying to make a play on a grounder to short when the infield was playing in. Stupid move and potentially could have cost the Royals the game.

    Sixth, Mike Moustakas went 0-3, dropping his batting average to .149, which is basically the worst of all everyday players in the MLB with at least 90 plate appearances. He sucks. Interestingly, the announcers pointed out two nights ago that Moose averages slightly over 4 pitches per at-bat, which is above the league average. So he is more patient now, BUT HE CANNOT HIT AN INSIDE PITCH TO SAVE HIS LIFE. It looks like he is trying to whack mosquitoes when he bats. He sucks.  

   

   On the positive side, Alcides Esco-baller stepped up with a HUGE hit that won the game. Nori Aoki continued playing like a boss at Kauffman. Greg Holland got his 7th save (which is 2nd best in the AL). Ventura’s ERA dropped to 1.50 which is tops in the AL. Alllllllll righty then:

Also, Jose Abreu did not hit a home run so the Royals still have more than him (although they only hit 11 home runs in April, their fewest in a month ever. SIGH, I miss Bo Jackson). 

You should also notice that the Royals scored 4 runs last night which automatically means they won. They are 14-0 when scoring 4; and 0-12 when scoring 3 or less. Most teams win if they score 4, so this is not unique to the Royals. In fact, the Royals record last year when scoring 4 or more was 64-13, which is pretty crazy. 

Bruce Chen has been scratched from his next start due to an ongoing injury, which should force the Royals to call up either John Lamb or Sugar Ray Marimon to take his place. I hope Sugar Ray is called up because he has an awesome name and John Lamb sucks. Jeremy Guthrie takes the mound tonight, which scares me a little as the Blue Jays will be hungry to avoid a sweep and avenge the loss of Melky Cabrera. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a little bean ball and several home runs tonight.

    

I hope the Royals sweep the Blue Jays back to Canada, but also would enjoy seeing some fights since there have not been many in the NHL playoffs so far.