Royals Report: Danny Duffy Dominates Cardinals In 6-2 Win

Jun 26, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) tags out Houston Astros base runner Jose Altuve (27) attempting to steal second during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

1) Alcides Escobar Thriving At The Bottom Of The Order

First, Whit Merrifield displaced Escobar as the team’s leadoff hitter when the Royals scored a mere four runs in six games during their eight-game losing skid. Next, Alex Gordon’s return on Saturday pushed Escobar out of the no. 2 position in the lineup down to no. 8.

Very quietly, the struggling Escobar has turned things around at the plate as he has moved down in the order. Escobar is riding an eight-game hitting streak, and has five multi-hit games in that span—including Monday’s 2 for 4 performance. Escobar’s hitting string is now the longest active streak on the team after the Cardinals snapped Paulo Orlando‘s 10 game run on Monday.

Alcides Escobar has boosted his batting average from .240 to .258 during his streak, improving his triple slash to .258/.281/.314.

Next: KC Royals Needs As Trade Deadline Approaches

Escobar is still one of the lightest-hitting regulars in baseball, but at least he’s contributing a bit more over the last week. He’s never going to be a guy that carries an offense, but he’ll help out the offense if he can be something more than a black hole in the lineup.

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