Royals Report: Bullpen Chokes Again In Walk-Off Loss

Jul 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Joakim Soria (48) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

1) Joakim Soria Blows The Game

The blunt fact is that Joakim Soria has not provided the reliable back-end option that the KC Royals had hoped when they signed him to a three-year, $27 million contract last winter.

The overall ERA is a mediocre 3.60 after giving up a walk-off two-run home run to Detroit’s no. 8 hitter in catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Soria is 3-4 on the season, and simply isn’t getting the job done.

At this point, you have to think the Kansas City Royals will be very interested in doing a deal with the recovering Greg Holland. Holland, at best, could provide some help during the playoffs this season due to the late date of his Tommy John surgery last season (September).

Even so, the KC Royals really need their three-headed bullpen monster back. And, right now, they simply don’t have it. The bullpen blew two games in this series in Detroit, when the Kansas City Royals had the perfect opportunity to win a series on the road. With the team headed back to Kansas City to face the Indians, a winning road trip would have been a nice boost.

Instead, Kansas City’s road record falls to 17-32, and the Royals lost an opportunity to pass the Tigers for second place in the AL Central.

Next: Next Two Weeks Most Crucial Of Royals Season

As this season plays out, I just keep getting the feeling it’s just not going to happen this year. The AL pennant winners of the last two seasons probably would have swept this series. Instead, the 2016 team lost two of three.

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