Royals Report: Paulo Orlando Mashes In 4-1 Win Over White Sox

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Sep 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the tenth inning at U.S Cellular Field. The Kansas City Royals defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-3 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

The Royals struck first in their three-game series against the AL Central leading White Sox, taking the first game 4-1 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

Dillon Gee made his second start in place of the injured Chris Young, and held the White Sox to one run in five innings. This time, Gee earned the win when the bullpen finished the job to go 1-1 on the season.

The Kansas City Royals are once again playing like the defending champions after a three-week funk that saw their record slide from a strong 12-6 start, to two games under .500 before their series against the Braves last weekend.

Though the KC Royals managed to take two out of three against the Braves, they didn’t look very good doing it due to exchanging base-running blunders with moribund Atlanta.

No matter. The Kansas City Royals appear to be back on track after playing well in their series against Boston, and beginning their road trip with a W against Chicago. The KC Royals can make up a lot of ground on the White Sox in the near future, playing six more games against their Central Division rivals before the end of May.

On to my five observations about Friday night’s game:

Next: Dillon Gee

May 15, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Dillon Gee (53) poses for photos in the outfield with fans during the photo day for season ticket holders before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Dillon Gee Has Been Doing The Job

Dillon Gee held the Atlanta Braves to scoreless through five innings, before giving up three in the sixth. On Friday, in his second start of the season against the Chicago White Sox, Gee again held the opponent to one run through five innings—but this time KC Royals manager Ned Yost pulled him with 96 pitches and the Royals leading 4-1.

Gee’s line was 5.0 IP, 4 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER, and 5 K.

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That’s means Gee has given up four runs in 10.1 innings pitched (3.48 ERA) since entering the Kansas City Royals rotation due to Chris Young injured forearm.

That’s called depth.

Gee had made 110 starts for the Mets prior to joining the KC Royals this winter as a free agent. While he was slotted as a long-reliever coming out of camp, general manager Dayton Moore knew he could take the ball as a starter if need be.

Dillon Gee looks like he’s continuing the recent Kansas City Royals tradition of big contributions from pitchers seeking to rebuild their careers. Last year, it was Chris Young, Ryan Madson, and Kris Medlen. This year, it’s Dillon Gee and Mike Minor (who is rehabbing at AAA Omaha and shutting down Reno tonight).

As long as Gee keeps pitching like this, no one’s moving him out of the KC Royals rotation.

Next: Andrelton Simmons? Pfft

Apr 15, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) barehands a ball in time to throw to first base for an out against the Oakland Athletics in the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Forget Those Reports About Andrelton Simmons Stealing Esky’s Gold Glove

Last winter, most pundits believed Alcides Escobar‘s reign as Gold Glove shortstop in the AL would be a one year affair when the Los Angeles Angels traded with the Braves to acquire Andrelton Simmons.

Not so fast.

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Simmons tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb (glove hand) on May 8 and will be out until July. Meanwhile, Alcides Escobar is making plays like this from Friday night (click the link, everyone. It’s well worth it).

Escobar rescued the Kansas City Royals from a sticky situation in the seventh when Soria gave up a hit and a walk to put the tying run at the plate in the person of slugger Todd Frazier, who is tied for the AL lead with 12 home runs. Frazier hit a screaming line drive to short that Escobar speared with a lunge to his right and turned with a perfect throw to double off the runner at second.

Yeah, Andrelton. Super-Esky isn’t going to give up the AL shortstop hardware without a fight.

Though I must confess, Fangraphs.com’s defensive metrics don’t love Esky that much. Their DEF metric rates Escobar a mere 17th in defense with a slightly above average mark of 0.1 (compared to 6.0 for Simmons). Ultimate Zone Rating has Escobar at a -5.0, which is considerably below average.

Go figure. By the eye test, that’s just not true at all.

Next: Paulo Orlando

Mar 20, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Paulo Orlando (16) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Paulo Orlando Should Get A Shot At Full Time Job

The Kansas City Royals have faced a string of lefties recently, which has brought Paulo Orlando into the lineup at right field. Orlando has been on an absolute tear since pinch hitting against the Yankees on May 9.

In his last five games, Orlando has three multi-hit games and four extra base hits. On Friday night, Orlando went 3-4 with a key double that scored Omar Infante from second base to trigger the KC Royals three-run sixth inning rally. The day pushed his triple slash to an outstanding .368/.390/.509.

White Sox starter Carlos Quintana had held the Kansas City Royals offense scoreless through five innings while cruising along using only 53 pitches. That all changed in the sixth, and Orlando’s double into the right-center gap was the key hit that put him in trouble. Friday night was the first time this season that Quintana had given up more than two runs in a start, and he came into the game with a 1.43 ERA.

Orlando is so hot right now that Yost should give him at bats against right-handed starters, too. Orlando is riding a five-game hitting streak and has given a shot in the arm to a KC Royals offense that badly needed it.

Here’s to you. Paulo. Took you a long time to get to the major-leagues. He looks like he wants to stay awhile.

Next: Joakim Soria

May 10, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Joakim Soria (48) pitches against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Joakim Soria Didn’t Give Up Any Runs, But…

Soria needed an absolutely fantastic play to escape the seventh inning without damage. Certainly every Kansas City Royals pitcher will get some help from this defense at one time or another, but Soria isn’t making anyone feel really good about the idea that he’s done with his early-season struggle.

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With Danny Duffy and Dillon Gee on strict pitch counts due to opening the season in the bullpen, Joakim Soria looks like he’s back in the saddle for the seventh inning job as the opening act for the KC Royals three-headed bullpen monster.

Soria gave up a single, walk, and then a screaming line drive to Todd Frazier that might have plugged the gap for extra bases without Escobar’s terrific double-play. One run would certainly have scored, and Soria would have been facing switch hitter Melky Cabrera with the tying runs on base.

So, Soria’s numbers are looking much better with an ERA now under 4 (3.98). But he still seems vulnerable.

This isn’t exactly what general manager Dayton Moore had in mind when he paid $27 million to Joakim Soria this winter (over three years). Let’s hope Soria can find himself soon.

Next: The Slump

May 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Royals mascot “Sluggerrr” entertains the crowd while the Houston Astros play the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park. Chicago won 6 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

1) The Slump Looks Over

The KC Royals have won five of their last seven games after an awful string in which they dropped 12 out of 16 games. They won their first series after five straight losses in a weekend series against Atlanta, and then took two of three games against the hard-hitting Red Sox.

Friday night, the Kansas City Royals beat the AL Central division-leading White Sox with what looked to be a game right in line with their championship style. The White Sox made the KC Royals look helpless until the sixth inning, when the Royals strung together a keep-the-line-moving rally that put them ahead 3-1.

The Royals struck first in their three-game series against the AL Central leading White Sox, taking the first game 4-1 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

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