Royals lose 6-3, have one final chance at a winning record

Quick Hits

• Edinson Volquez allowed only three runs, but it could have been worse
• Alex Gordon struck out four times
• Let’s be a little excited going into next season about Matt Strahm

If Volquez was auditioning to keep his position next year with the Royals, it was not a good one. He led off the game by loading the bases with a walk, a single, and a hit batsman, but he managed to get three pop outs to prevent any runs.

Another walk and single (and a stolen base) in the second inning allowed a run to score. Lonnie Chisenhall tripled in the third inning and scored on a wild pitch. Finally, a walk, single, and a sac fly scored the third run in the fifth inning. In all, Volquez allowed a fair number of baserunners in only five innings, but he somehow got enough outs around those baserunners to keep too many of them from scoring.

The Royals didn’t even reach base against Trevor Bauer until the third inning. With two outs, amazing Royals hitter Drew Butera hit a grounder back up the middle. Bauer spun and tried to field it but ended up deflecting it past the shortstop. Two more singles by Jarrod Dyson and Whit Merrifield got the Royals their first run.

The Royals made some solid contact off Bauer in the sixth inning. Kendrys Morales hit a double to the deep gap in right-center field, the first hit since the third inning. Paulo Orlando followed with another double off the fence in left field to score Morales to bring the Royals within one. Alex Gordon struck out, naturally, but Alcides Escobar hit the gap between third and short. The Royals were sending Orlando all the way from second base, and he scored easily to tie the game. Cheslor Cuthbert dang near blooped in a hit with two outs and Escobar on first, but Kipnis managed to corral the ball after bobbling it a bit.

The Royals threatened to break the tie in the seventh inning off a double and a walk, but Morales grounded into a fielder’s choice at third base and Orlando struck out. Unfortunately, the Indians broke the tie. In the eighth inning, Strahm walked Rajai Davis to lead off the inning. Davis stole second off the next pitcher, Kevin McCarthy. Abraham Almonte then hit what looked like a routine grounder to Merrifield, but Whit moved the wrong way initially and had to come back toward the ball. He booted it, which allowed Davis to score.

McCarthy then blew the game open. After Whit’s error, he walked the next two guys to load the bases. Noted Royals killer Francisco Lindor came up to bat and hit a weak-ish ground ball down the third base line for a double to make the score 6-3 Indians. It wasn’t really a good pitch to hit; Lindor is just really good.

Andrew Miller and Cody Allen shut down the Royals in the later innings. At 81-80, the Royals must win tomorrow’s season finale to finish the year with a winning record. Ian Kennedy will be on the mound against Josh Tomlin.