Auuuggghhhh!
The matchup between the Royals and Yankees used to be the marquee matchup of the American League.
Unfortunately, those days are long gone and lately the only headlines involving the Royals aren't very complimentary. Nor should they be. This team has lost 486 games over the past five seasons (489 counting this year's losses coming into today's game) and averaging 98 losses per season.
Add today's loss to the Yankees in the Bronx to that list.
Joe Mays, pitching more like Charlie Brown, couldn't even get out of the 3rd inning in the Yankees home opener.
But, still the Royals managed to battle back and take a 7-4 lead into the 8th inning behind the relief pitching of Mike Wood and Elmer Dessens, who to this point in the young season has arguably been the Royals best offseason acquisition.
This is where the Royals managerial prowess is called into question by a lot of people.
Instead of leaving Dessens, who's only thrown 19 pitches in his 2 innings of work, in to pitch the 8th inning, Buddy Bell calls in the large lefty, Andrew Sisco.
Most baseball people would tell you it was the right move bringing in the southpaw to face Giambi, Matsui, and Posada. Two lefties and a switch-hitter. Heck, the next three were Cano, Williams and Damon, also two lefties and a switch-hitter.
It's called playing the percentages and Buddy Bell got burned because Andrew Sisco, after looking like a veteran southpaw most of last season, is looking like a rushed rule 5 guy this season.
Myself, I don't have a problem with bringing in a lefty at that point, but with Sisco's struggles so far, I would have liked to see Gobble come in instead. Maybe it would have played out the same way, but there's no way to know. Maybe Gobble shuts them down 1-2-3 in the 8th (hey, it's a hypothetical situation, it COULD happen!).
That obviously didn't happen, but the coup de grace was Ambiorix Burgos' meat pitch to Captain Yankee, Derek Jeter.
Say so long to your lil friend, Ambiorix, and also say so long to the Royals lead.
Sigh.
The Royals streak continues in the Bronx.
Positives
1. Resiliency of the Royals - Once they got down early, against the Yanks on opening day, it would have been really easy to just lay down. This team didn't and as a Royals fan, you have to like that. A lot!
2. Angel Berroa - Another solid day at bat and a good day in the field. Hopefully he keeps playing like this.
3. Elmer Dessens - Yet another outstanding performance from the journeyman hurler. Obviously this stretch of excellence probably won't last the season, but you take advantage of it while it does, Buddy!
4. Reggie Sanders - 6 games, 2 homers, 7 rbi's. Finally, we've got some legit protection behind Sweeney.
Negatives
1. Joe Mays - He's had two starts and hasn't made it a complete 5 innings yet. His status in the rotation is shaky if Runelvys can get back to speed in the minors.
2. Buddy Bell - A manager has to know when to trust his gut and when to play the percentages. His overall record of 388-531 coming into the season doesn't give me much hope that he'll become the next Whitey Herzog or Dick Howser.
3. Mike Sweeney - The captain takes another horse collar and also gets plunked in the 9th, forcing him from the game. Mike's slow start isn't unusual, but we're just waiting for his annual trip to the DL.
Unfortunately, those days are long gone and lately the only headlines involving the Royals aren't very complimentary. Nor should they be. This team has lost 486 games over the past five seasons (489 counting this year's losses coming into today's game) and averaging 98 losses per season.
Add today's loss to the Yankees in the Bronx to that list.
Joe Mays, pitching more like Charlie Brown, couldn't even get out of the 3rd inning in the Yankees home opener.
But, still the Royals managed to battle back and take a 7-4 lead into the 8th inning behind the relief pitching of Mike Wood and Elmer Dessens, who to this point in the young season has arguably been the Royals best offseason acquisition.
This is where the Royals managerial prowess is called into question by a lot of people.
Instead of leaving Dessens, who's only thrown 19 pitches in his 2 innings of work, in to pitch the 8th inning, Buddy Bell calls in the large lefty, Andrew Sisco.
Most baseball people would tell you it was the right move bringing in the southpaw to face Giambi, Matsui, and Posada. Two lefties and a switch-hitter. Heck, the next three were Cano, Williams and Damon, also two lefties and a switch-hitter.
It's called playing the percentages and Buddy Bell got burned because Andrew Sisco, after looking like a veteran southpaw most of last season, is looking like a rushed rule 5 guy this season.
Myself, I don't have a problem with bringing in a lefty at that point, but with Sisco's struggles so far, I would have liked to see Gobble come in instead. Maybe it would have played out the same way, but there's no way to know. Maybe Gobble shuts them down 1-2-3 in the 8th (hey, it's a hypothetical situation, it COULD happen!).
That obviously didn't happen, but the coup de grace was Ambiorix Burgos' meat pitch to Captain Yankee, Derek Jeter.
Say so long to your lil friend, Ambiorix, and also say so long to the Royals lead.
Sigh.
The Royals streak continues in the Bronx.
Positives
1. Resiliency of the Royals - Once they got down early, against the Yanks on opening day, it would have been really easy to just lay down. This team didn't and as a Royals fan, you have to like that. A lot!
2. Angel Berroa - Another solid day at bat and a good day in the field. Hopefully he keeps playing like this.
3. Elmer Dessens - Yet another outstanding performance from the journeyman hurler. Obviously this stretch of excellence probably won't last the season, but you take advantage of it while it does, Buddy!
4. Reggie Sanders - 6 games, 2 homers, 7 rbi's. Finally, we've got some legit protection behind Sweeney.
Negatives
1. Joe Mays - He's had two starts and hasn't made it a complete 5 innings yet. His status in the rotation is shaky if Runelvys can get back to speed in the minors.
2. Buddy Bell - A manager has to know when to trust his gut and when to play the percentages. His overall record of 388-531 coming into the season doesn't give me much hope that he'll become the next Whitey Herzog or Dick Howser.
3. Mike Sweeney - The captain takes another horse collar and also gets plunked in the 9th, forcing him from the game. Mike's slow start isn't unusual, but we're just waiting for his annual trip to the DL.
posted by Rob @ 8:33 PM
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