Royals Report:: 3 Things About Lapse In Baltimoreore

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The Royals lost their fifth straight game, falling to the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 at Camden Yards. The KC Royals led 1-0 in the seventh inning, before the Orioles blasted three home runs to put away the game.

11. 1. 7. Final. 4

The Kansas City Royals slide to 30-27, 2.0 games behind the Indians in the AL Central. The Orioles improved to 33-23 and remain tied for first in the AL East.

The KC Royals took a slim 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning on an unearned run when Baltimore second baseman Jonathan Schoop slammed a relay throw into a sliding Cheslor Cuthbert‘s elbow. The ball flew wild and allowed Paulo Orlando to score the lead run instead of the Orioles turning an inning-ending double play.

The mistake proved meaningless when Danny Duffy, who had held the Orioles scoreless with eight strikeouts, gave up solo home runs to Mark Trumbo and Matt Weiters to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead.

Luke Hochevar failed to close the door in relief, allowing another run in the seventh. The Orioles put away the game when Manny Machado slammed Baltimore’s third solo shot off Kelvin Herrera, which was the first home run he has allowed this season.

It was a truly disappointing game when the Kansas City Royals appeared to have caught a lucky break that might help them break out of their losing streak. Instead, the Kansas City Royals blew their second straight game while holding a lead after the sixth inning.

On to my observations about Monday’s crummy game:

Next: Danny Duffy

Jun 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Danny Duffy (41) throws a pitch during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Danny Duffy Was Really Impressive

Forget about the results. Danny Duffy is emerging as the KC Royals ace. Duffy managed to get through 6.1 innings while throwing only 80 pitches. He struck out nine and walked none.

Duffy has really learned how to command the strike zone with his power fastball and reduce his pitch count. If he can keep up the recent trend, he can work deeper into games.

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Danny Duffy really showed his maturity in the bottom of the third inning when he gave up a leadoff single to Jonathan Schoop. Third baseman Paul Janish laid down a bunt that dribbled down the first base line. Duffy and catcher Drew Butera seemed confused about who should field the ball, before Duffy picked it up—and wisely decided to hold the ball when he realized the runner had blocked his throw to first base.

A younger player might have pressed to get an out rather than allow such a weak hit, but Duffy realized he could make matters worse trying to make a low percentage play. The Orioles advanced the runners to second and third with yet another bunt, putting Duffy in jam.

However, Duff-man struck out right fielder Joey Rickard and third baseman Manny Machado to end the threat.

Right now, Duffy shows more ability to dominate than any other pitcher in the rotation. With a fastball that touches 97-mph and his new-found command, Duffy has the tools to control games. If he can improve his ability to get tough outs the third time through the order, he can take his place a top the KC Royals rotation as their ace.

Next: Ned Yost

Jun 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo (45) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

4) #Yosted!

I’ve gone over and over it with my readers here on Kings of Kauffman. I don’t like Ned Yost‘s tactics in many instances. Yet, I believe his ability to manage the clubhouse and create a winning atmosphere overwhelms any tactical mistakes he might make.

It doesn’t mean they don’t drive me crazy.

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Ned Yost again had me, and man other Kansas City Royals fans, howling at the moon when he sent Duffy back out to pitch in seventh inning. Sure, Duffy had dominated the Orioles through six innings, but with Baltimore hitters getting their third look at Duffy and the KC Royals riding a four game losing streak, the better play would have been to rely on the best bullpen in baseball to nail down the win.

Yost didn’t do that, and instead chose to go with Duffy.

I wouldn’t have made that choice, but it didn’t make me crazy. Duffy HAD been dominant, and if he’s every going to become a guy that can pitch deep into games you need to let him pitch past the sixth inning. However, I would have had Joakim Soria warming just in case Duffy gave up a base-runner.

When Duffy gave up the home run, I would have pulled him. At this point, you can’t afford to let this game go and create more bad vibes in the clubhouse. I’m not going to let Duffy have a chance to lose this game after pitching so well.

THAT drove me crazy.

Of course, we all know what happened. After notching the first out of the inning on a grounder to Whit Merrifield at third base (who had taken over for Cuthbert), Matt Weiters launched a bomb over the center-field wall. A shaken Royals team couldn’t stop the Orioles from adding yet another run when reliever Luke Hochevar allowed a single, double and a walk after coming on for Duffy.

The two bombs energized the Orioles.

Time after time we see old school managers try to juice some extra innings out of their starter when locked in a close game and hitting the critical sixth inning (when most teams are seeing the starter for the third time). Time after time we see that choice blow up in their face because hitters SIMPLY GET BETTER after seeing a guy the third time.

Next: Offense

Jun 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) lays on the ground after being hit by a throw by Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) in the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Offense Just Can’t Get Untracked

We can cry and complain about tactical choices in the seventh inning all we want, but KC Royals fans need to recognize you’re not going to win many games scoring 1, 1, 0, and 1 runs over your last four games.

The lineup was simply scalding the ball five days ago, and after blowing a win, it seems like the ball has shrunk to a pebble.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Wright came into the game with a 5.88 ERA and a career 5.96 ERA to go with his 6.6 K/9 this season. Greg Maddux he’s not. Except the Kansas City Royals hitters made him look that way, managing only five hits, two walks, and one unearned run while striking out four times. Wright lasted 7.0 innings while throwing 95 pitches.

In short, Wright had a terrific outing worthy of an ace rather than a bottom-of-the-barrel starter.

Wright’s track record suggests to me that it’s more about the KC Royals hitters losing the confidence that carried them through the prior ten games after injuries to Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas than it was about Wright.

And that’s one heck of a problem.

Whit Merrifield seems to be the only player continuing to hit, reaching for a club record 15 straight games to begin a Kansas City Royals career. Paulo Orlando stroked two hits, and seems to be swinging easier than the last couple of days. Yet, the KC Royals lost another player to injury when Jonathan Schoop’s attempted relay throw spiked into Cheslor Cuthbert’s elbow.

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Early reports indicate that Cuthbert didn’t break a bone and only has a contusion on his elbow, but the Royals might have to make a roster move to add an infielder. Yes, the KC Royals could play Infante at second and Merrifield at third, but the team would be out of infielders in case of injury.

Let’s hope the new guy can provide a spark.

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