Royals Report: Friday’s Win And Hanging With The President

5) Danny Duffy Played the Stopper

Danny Duffy shot down the Texas Rangers over 6.2 innings on Friday night, allowing only 4 hits, 2 walks, and 1 earned run while striking out 4. Duffy earned the win to go 6-1 on the season.

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Danny Duffy’s performance broke a two-game losing streak, which saw the Royals drop two in a row to AL Central leader Cleveland.

Duffy was in fine form, pitching into the seventh inning and avoiding the iffy “bridge” relievers. Luke Hochevar helped Duffy escape a seventh inning jam with runners on first and third by retiring pinch hitter Mitch Moreland on a line drive to left.

Duffy’s only mistake of the night came when Texas second baseman Rougned Odor slammed his 18th home run with one out in the fourth inning. Other than the solo shot, Duffy held the Rangers in check.

What has most impressed me about Danny Duffy’s breakthrough this season has been his consistency. He keeps working deep into games because he’s getting the ball over the plate. Even when he doesn’t have his good stuff, Duffy is keeping the KC Royals in the game and working into the sixth.

At this point, Duffy is the closet thing the Kansas City Royals have to an ace, and his 3.14 ERA and 10.33 K/9 legitimize that title. It’s too bad that the KC Royals only control Duffy through the 2017 season, or that Duffy didn’t become this guy earlier in his career.

I guess beggars can’t be choosers, and better late than never. You can supply your own cliche if you like. At least one of general manager Dayton Moore’s arms has finally developed into a front-line starter, which is better than none.

Next: Cheslor Cuthbert