The pitching staff, outside of Zach Greinke, took it on the chin in the Royals three game series against the Jays. If your pitching gives up 19 runs in the three games, you’re not going to do very well.
Monday’s loss was the worst in a 9-1 pounding. Odalis Perez didn’t even finish up the second inning and he gave up four runs while Jason Stanridge was also hit hard in his relief appearance. The lone Royals run came on a solo homerun by John Buck in the seventh inning.
Tuesday’s game went a bit better as Zach Greinke threw a very good game. He gave up just a single run on six hits with five strikeouts in six innings of work and he evened his record up at 1-1. Joakim Soria threw two perfect innings to close out the game and he picked up his first career save. Alex Gordan hit his first career homerun and David DeJesus and Mark Grudzielanek each had three hits in the 6-3 win.
Then yesterday, Jorge de la Rossa was hit hard in the rubber game. He gave up five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings in the loss. David DeJesus homered and he’s off to a fine start while Esteban German had two hits and an RBI in the 7-4 loss.
Without a day off, the Royals travel to Baltimore for a four game series with the Orioles. Gil Meche will try to bounce back from his last start in the series opener tonight.