To say that this has been a rough road trip would be kind. It took the Royals from contention for the lead in the AL Central to tied for last place with the terrible Detroit Tigers. Not good.
Brett Tomko was roughed up today, going a total of 6 innings, but giving up 8 Hits, translating to 7 Runs (6 Earned). Not one of his stronger performances, and unfortunately, just adds to the losing streak, and sinks the club deeper into its funk.
The offense managed to put up 2 Runs, today, their highest Run total in 4 days. However, if the pitching staff gives up 7 Runs, there isn’t much 2 Runs can do for you.
Their Hit totals was high again with 9, but no Runs are being scored, and base runners are being stranded all over the place, throughout the whole game. If there was one positive thing to come out of this dismal road trip, it is that the bats have not necessarily been stopped, they have been knocking the ball around, just not enough to amount any form of offensive force.
The Royals will be glad to go home after this road trip. They were 2-11, winning their last game back on May 18th, to the Florida Marlins, in that deciding game three of the series. It is funny how baseball works, really, when you consider the first game of this road trip was a win for the Royals, capping off a 5 game win streak, taking them to within 1.5 games of the lead in the Central.
The reality of the situation is that the Royals are 7.5 out, tied for last place with the Detroit Tigers. A record of 21-30, and an eight-game losing streak in tow. Ugly baseball right now. But plenty of time to straighten the ship, and get back to that aggressive style of Royals baseball that was so much fun, and successful, too!