Royals Beat White Sox 4-3

The Royals won a tight thriller on Saturday afternoon at the K, downing the bullies from the South Side of Chicago 4-3. I attended the game, and can well-attest that a good time was had by all Royals fans – as should happen on a beautiful and sunny day at the old ballpark. Even some of the defeated White Sox fans in Section 141 managed to enjoy themselves, thanks to massive alcohol consumption. It takes a special team to beat your opponents and make ’em like it, but the Royals performed that feat admirably today.

Apr 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Bruce Chen (52) throws the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

 Bruce Chen gave his team another solid start. He allowed 6 hits, 0 walks, and 1 run in 6 and 1/3rd innings. He missed quite a few bats, and managed to get some big strikeouts in key situations, such as the back-to-back punch-outs in the first inning, with runners on first and second and one out.

 Billy Butler had a big hit in the fourth inning, knocking in Omar Infante from third with a hard-hit ground ball through the left-side of the infield. A disappointing Hosmer base-running gaffe would later cost the Royals a chance to bust the game open with a huge inning.

 Nori Aoki hit a double in the fifth inning, stole third with one out, then scored when Billy Butler hit a deep line drive sacrifice out to right-center.

 Wade Davis struggled in the eighth inning, and allowed the Chicagoans to tie the game at 3-3. But their hopes and dreams were smashed when Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez hit back-to-back doubles in the home half of the inning, and our dynamite closer Greg Holland slammed the door mercilessly, with his usual aplomb.

The Royals now sit at 2-2 on the season, with a chance for their first series sweep of 2014 in Sunday’s contest.

 Not all is joy in Royal-town, however, as Moose and Escobar are both hitless after the first four games of the season. Better luck tomorrow, fellas.