55-71
by NHZ on Aug 20, 2008 10:08 PM EDT
in Kansas City Royals News
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No loss ever feels good, even when you play with the grit of a Ross Gload type, but this one stings where it hurts. Gil Meche was absolutely stellar after allowing three runs early, two of which go in the "unearned" bin. All told, Meche gave up only two hits, walked one, and struck out nine over seven innings. His ERA (yes I know ERA isn't that great of a stat, believe me) was lowered to 4.01 in the process. That's an impressive feat given how he started this season and this game. Unfortunately, Ramon Ramirez and Joakim Soria couldn't hold the lead. That's probably the only time this year we've seen that sentence, which doesn't make this loss hurt less. Off the top of my head, only "the Twins game" tops this one in terms of bullpen meltdowns. Fans always remember the close losses and forget the blowouts...yadda yadda yadda, but when you get an effort like this one out of Meche, it's one of hell of a game to shake off. To the bullet points:
- We haven't been swept yet. Isn't that looking on the bright side? Greinke goes tomorrow in a 12:05 EST getaway day game that I'll miss entirely. Cheer Zack on, people. We could really use a win.
- Pumpkinhead Fulchino recorded as many outs as Soria did: one. Fulchino succeeded in lowering his ERA to 9.90.
- Royals relievers in this game combined for one inning, four walks, three hits allowed, and two dingers surrendered. Ugly.
- Mike Aviles should be intentionally walked by any unfortunate lefty who has to face him. He went 3-for-4 today and was the only Royal with a multihit game.
- Beer, anyone?
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$1000 signer is our best position player and it isn't even close.
Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin
as if we need any more...
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
We don't, do we?
To qualify my anti-Guillen stance, I’d really like to see him play well in the next two years. I’m just kind of terrified by that horrible OBP going forward.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
yeah, I'm not necessarily anit-Guillen
I would be very pleased if he could rake more consistently. He is very good when he is good, but man, he is aggravating when not.
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
And so goes the production
of a corner outfielder with no plate discipline left. Take a frigging walk, Jose. We know you can’t run, so what’s your rush?
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Boy, we've really
sucked ass lately. I’m in Chicago working so didn’t get to see or comment on the game, but it sounds like the entire team is in a funk right now. It’s contagious, but unless we go all Baltimore Orioles and go 4-32 or something to finish out, it’s just part of the ebb and flow, I guess.
Go get ‘em tomorrow, I’ll be there in spirit.
I hereby resign from this post.
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Aug 20, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe not the whole team,
as Meche has been really good in the second half, but enough people are below their not-too-impressive usual levels right now that it feels a bit like malaise. Sadly, malaise is not a variable we can control for, so let’s just say it’s just the ebb and flow of a .450 team.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Meche is probably grinding his teeth down
to nubs right now. I was switching back and forth between the game and the Olympics and it was 5-3 and RamRod was in the game. I turned back 15 minutes later and it was 8-5. I couldn’t believe it. I’m glad I didn’t watch it, because I might have done physical harm to the TV set. Unbelievable.
P.S. Beer is alway appropriate
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
Beer?
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Pat Green may think twice the next time before asking for a cold one.
The last time he did it, the Texas-born country singer-songwriter was knocked out cold.
Green performed Saturday night at the Michigan International Speedway after NASCAR’s Carfax 250 race. He’s best known for the 2003 hit “Wave on Wave.”
The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports that late in his show, he shouted, “Anyone got a beer?”
A can of suds suddenly soared from the audience onto the stage. Then a second can from the crowd hit Green between the eyes, knocking him out.
Medical personnel treated him at the track.
A phone message seeking an update on Green’s condition was left Tuesday at his publicist’s office in Nashville, Tenn.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Happily,
no one chucked a beer far enough to reach me.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Johnny Damon tried his best
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
throws like Mary...
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
Saw that about PG. He'll be in KC here in the next couple of weeks. Not sure when, but a show you should check out.
Anyways, missed all of the game tonight. Sounds like a good thing. I really hope things start turning around quickly. Hopefully Greinke can right the ship tomorrow.
he may need to pitch a complete game
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
134 Pitches Might
Have gotten it done.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Aug 21, 2008 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
So, did Treyball get Mitch hurt?
something says that if he doesn’t bunt with runners on first and second and no outs, he doesn’t get hit in the face by the pitch.
Maybe not a fair conclusion to Trey.
So, will Zack hit someone tomorrow?
Wow...just....wow.
There have been many times this year where I’ve been critical of Hillman for making a boneheaded move. I’m sure more than that, he’s made the exact right move, but obviously, you tend to forget about those. The disturbing thing is that it seems like he is star-crossed – any time he has a decision that could go either way such as last night, his decision turns out to be disaster in hindsight. I mean he COULD have left Gil in, but obviously, it wasn’t a horrible move to bring in Ram Ram, he has been nails all year…it just didn’t work out last night. Who knows what would have happened if Gil was left in for the 8th and Joakim came in to begin the bottom of the 9th – the role he is more accustomed to. I guess it was bound to happen at some point…just another game, right?
We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan
I left the game in the 7th
To get to softball – WTF happened? Seems like Trey had a quick hook. I thought Gil could have started the 8th the way he was cruising. Also seems like Trey had a quick hook on RamRam – did he get hurt? I mean, I like that he is willing to stretch Soria out, it just didn’t work and that will happen. I’m not blaming the loss on Trey – he made reasonable moves, I’m just wondering.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
I can't blame Hillman for any of it
Especially considering the current state of the rotation, Meche is going to be asked to pitch every 5th day, regardless of off days, the rest of the season. Remember, Hochever is now out, and Davis is still stuck in Omaha. I would have pulled Meche last night as well. He was already at 104 pitches, at BEST he could have gone thru 8. Apparently, we may STILL have lost that game in the 9th, considering Soria didn’t have it last night. It happens.
Let’s not forget the following items, which also contributed highly to the loss:
Gordon’s error in the 1st, which resulted in 2 unearned runs, and more pitches for Meche.
Top of the 1st, Butler’s DP grounder. At the time, it looked like the Royals might knock Jackson out of the game with a big inning. Get him out early, and the whole game changes, as the long reliever is usually one of the worst pitchers on the team.
Not too hard to argue the game was lost in the 1st inning just as much as it was in the 8th.
by loyal2sdad on Aug 21, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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