Royals Report: Bullpen Chokes Again In Walk-Off Loss

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Jul 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Yordano Ventura Should Have Shut Out Tigers

Yordano Ventura was very good on Sunday afternoon, lasting 7.0 innings while allowing 8 hits, 1 walk, and 2 earned runs with six strikeouts.

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The heartbreaking part of those two earned runs is that neither of them should have scored. The first came on a balk with the bases loaded in the third inning. Home plate umpire D.J. Rayburn apparently made the call due to Ventura failing to come to the set position before he threw, but the call was VERY questionable.

The second run scored on a wild pitch with two outs and a runner on third base.

Aside from those two blunders, Ventura pitched very well in tight situations. With the bases loaded and one out in the third inning, Ventura struck out Miguel Cabrera looking on a change-up. With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, Yordano Ventura induced a double play grounder from Cameron Maybin that allowed the KC Royals to preserve a 2-2 tie. Ventura also left Cabrera in the on deck circle.

However, I was more impressed by Ventura’s composure. He didn’t blow up when Rayburn called that iffy balk. Instead, he focused on the hitter and struck out Victor Martinez with runners on first and second. If Ventura had failed to get back to business, that inning could have turned ugly.

Overall, Ventura showed a lot of maturity on Sunday. He lasted through seven innings. He didn’t blow up under adversity. And he pitched out of some tough jams to preserve a 2-2 tie. Ventura left with a no decision, but gave the Kansas City Royals a fine performance on Sunday.

Now, if only Ventura can clean up his follow through, and he might be on his way to realizing his potential.

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