Royals Report: Back To Losing After Friday The 13th Ends

1) Dillon Gee Hurt By Rotation Injuries

Dillon Gee really wasn’t that bad on Saturday. He gave up three runs in 5.1 innings pitched, which isn’t really great. But, Gee had sailed through five innings without allowing a run while racking up five strikeouts.

In the sixth, the Braves strung together three hits (including two doubles) with two walks (one intentional), to plate three runs.

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Sigh.

With the KC Royals bats back in hibernation, the rally put the Royals down 3-0. So, where do the rotation injuries come into play?

The short list of healthy starters forces Danny Duffy into the rotation on Sunday, and since he’s not stretched out to start, he’ll be on a strict pitch count. That means the Kansas City Royals bullpen is looking at heavy use on Sunday. Thus, manager Ned Yost really wanted to get Gee through the sixth inning, especially given that he came into the frame with 70 pitches.

That meant Yost failed to bring Luke Hochevar into the game when Gee gave up a double to put runners on second and third with one out, and the KC Royals already down a run.

With Yost managing for tomorrow, the Braves plated two runs on second basaeman Kelly Johnson‘s single after Gee intentionally walked Freddie Freeman. When things are running bad, the pressures on your lineup and staff build up and can compromise your decisions that cause you to lose even more games.

The Kansas City Royals need to bust this self-perpetuating cycle.

Next: Brian Duensing