Royals Report: Bullpen Collapse Busts Winning Streak

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Jun 16, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) follows through on a swing for a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

The Royals five-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night, losing to the Detroit Tigers 10-4 at Kauffman Stadium. The KC Royals blew a 4-3 sixth inning lead when the Tigers beat up the KC bullpen for seven runs, including three home runs.

7. Final. 10. 63. 4

The Kansas City Royals fell to 35-31, and now sit 1/2 game behind the idle Cleveland Indians in second place in the AL Central. The Tigers move to 34-32, and now trail the KC Royals by one game, and the Indians by 1.5 games.

In a rare lapse, the Tigers blasted the “best bullpen in baseball” for seven runs after the sixth inning. Thursday night was the third time the Kansas City Royals lost a game when they held a lead after the sixth inning. While the bullpen’s ERA is still outstanding, the pen has been a bit more vulnerable to giving up late leads over the last month of play.

The KC Royals need to get that tightened up before they can take control of the AL Central.

On to my four observations about Friday’s game:

Next: Danny Duffy

Jun 16, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy (41) delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Danny Duffy Pitched Well Enough To Win

On a hot day in which the ball was carrying very well in Kansas City, Danny Duffy did enough to earn a win—but was betrayed by his bullpen.

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I can’t fault manager Ned Yost for going to the pen in the sixth inning. Danny Duffy had hit 88 pitches and had given up three solo home runs. The KC Royals were holding onto a precarious 4-3 lead with the pen rested and ready.

It should have worked. On most days, the Kansas City Royals famed bullpen would have brought home a win.

Instead, Luke Hochevar gave up two home runs, including a killing two-run shot to Miguel Cabrera with two outs. That dinger put the Royals on a path where Yost typically uses his second line relievers trailing by two runs in the seventh inning. Reliever Peter Moylan then gave up four hits and one walk while allowing three more runs in the seventh, to put the game well out of reach at 9-4.

Chien-Ming Wang gave up yet another solo home run to Victor Martinez, his third of the game, to give Detroit a 10-4 advantage. Overall, Detroit hit six home runs on Thursday night.

Despite allowing three home runs, Danny Duffy worked out of a tough jam in the third inning when he allowed a walk to Detroit catcher James McCann and a single to outfielder Mike Aviles to open the inning. Duffy then struck out Ian Kinsler, got Jose Iglesias to ground out to short, and induced a fly ball from superstar Miguel Cabrera.

Danny Duffy is growing into a top-of-the-rotation pitcher before our eyes. Maybe he can become a bona fide ace.

Next: Jose Reyes

Sep 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes (7) scores on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Nolan Arenado (not pictured) during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Rumors Indicate Royals Have Some Interest In Jose Reyes

ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Alex Cora reported that the KC Royals are interested in disgraced middle infielder Jose Reyes as a second-baseman, despite his 51-day suspension from MLB for assaulting his wife:

Baseball Insider for 1 day;

Sources: Royals 👀 José Reyes to play 2B.

Ok, back to be the ex-player who will be covering the @NCAACWS.
— Alex (@ac13alex) June 16, 2016

If true, it’s rather interesting that the KC Royals want Reyes to play second base instead of third. Since rookie Whit Merrifield has been getting most of the starts at second base, I suppose that means the Kansas City Royals are looking to move Whit to third base in place of Cheslor Cuthbert or the outfield.

The Reyes rumor suggests that the club isn’t entirely convinced that either Cuthbert or outfielders Paulo Orlando, Brett Eibner, and Jarrod Dyson can handle the lineup spots they currently fill over the long-term. Of course, the Kansas City Royals are looking to defend a title rather than settle for adequate production.

It also tells me that the KC Royals front office doesn’t think Christian Colon can hold down second base over the long-term, or else why would they be pursuing Reyes?

Next: Alex Gordon

Apr 24, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) hits a solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Alex Gordon Takes Batting Practice

After hitting off a tee earlier in the week, Alex Gordon took batting practice before Wednesday’s finale against the Cleveland Indians.

While Gordon splashed some balls into the fountains at Kauffman Stadium, he’s still not entirely up to snuff. He told Kansas City Star beat writer Rustin Dodd on Wednesday:

“I can still feel it a little bit,” Gordon said. “But as far as baseball activity, throwing, swinging, it doesn’t bother me at all.”

According to Dodd, Gordon told him that he’s still a few days away from starting a rehab assignment in the minor leagues, though Gordon believes that it’s coming soon. Gordon has discussed a timetable with KC Royals head trainer Nick Kenney, but the team isn’t sharing that information with reporters.

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The team sure could use a healthy Alex Gordon back in the lineup. Losing both Gordon and Mike Moustakas is a considerable loss from last year’s core. Add in Kendrys Morales struggles at DH, and it’s no surprise that the Kansas City Royals run production has suffered a significant hit from last season.

Gordon broke a bone in his wrist May 23, and the KC Royals expected him to miss three to four weeks. We’re already past the three-week mark right now, and I’m guessing Gordon will require at least a another seven days in Omaha before returning to Kansas City. At this point, I think we’re looking at a return around June 25 to July 1.

Next: Brett Eibner

Jun 16, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Brett Eibner (12) hits an RBI single against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Brett Eibner Is Still Crazy Hot At The Plate

I nearly wrote that “Brett Eibner is still crazy hot”, but I didn’t want to sound like a middle-school girl. Eibner came into the game with six hits in his first four games, including a walkoff hit for a win in his second start. Despite just returning from the 15-day disabled list, he picked up right where he left off two weeks ago by hitting his first career home run on Thursday.

The Royals five-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night, losing to the Detroit Tigers 10-4 at Kauffman Stadium. The KC Royals blew a 4-3 sixth inning lead when the Tigers beat up the KC bullpen for seven runs, including three home runs.

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