Final
Royals carry best interleague mark into series opener with Rockies
Aug 19, 2014 - 3:06 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals try to improve upon the majors' best interleague record on Tuesday when they open a brief two-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.Kansas City is 14-4 versus the National League this season and a big reason why the team sits atop the American League Central standings by a pair of games over the Detroit Tigers.
The Royals continued to roll on Monday in Minnesota, as Erik Kratz hit a pair of home runs to help Kansas City to a 6-4 win. Salvador Perez drove in two for the Royals, who have won five of six.
Jason Vargas (10-5) gave up a run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts over seven innings to pick up the win.
"I was throwing the ball but they put it in play quite a bit," said Vargas. "I can't do much about it after that, but the guys behind me did great tonight."
Getting the call for the Royals on Tuesday will be righty James Shields, who is 11-6 with a 3.29 ERA. Shields did not get a decision on Thursday against Oakland, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings of his team's 7-3 win.
Shields is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings in August.
Shields has split two starts versus the Rockies and has pitched to a 4.15 ERA in those outings.
Colorado, meanwhile, will counter with left-handed rookie Tyler Matzek, who has lost his last four starts. Matzek lost in San Diego on Wednesday, as he surrendered five runs and eight hits in six innings, dropping him to 2-8 on the year to go along with a 5.50 ERA. However, he did fan a career-best nine batters in the loss.
"I felt really good, felt like I was hitting my spots," Matzek said. "The first inning was a little rough (three hits and a walk), but after that, I settled in. I had good control of the slider today."
Colorado, which owns the worst record in the National League, swept a doubleheader from the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, taking the first game, 10-9, before winning the nightcap, 10-5.
"I always say, no matter what your record is or where you are in the standings, it's always more fun to smile after a game than frown," Cuddyer said. "And we're able to smile after two games today."
Kansas City swept a two-game set from the Rockies earlier in the year.
- KANSAS CITY: 7
COLORADO: 4
Final
Aug 19 11:55 PM - Drew Stubbs one-out, two-run Home Run (13) to right scored Charlie Blackmon. Justin Morneau due up.
Royals 7, Rockies 4 Bot 9, 1 OutAug 19 11:47 PM - Omar Infante doubled to left scored Alcides Escobar and Jarrod Dyson with two outs. On the play, Christian Colon advances to third. Runners on second and third and Salvador Perez due up.
Royals 7, Rockies 2 Top 8, 2 OutsAug 19 11:25 PM - Pinch-Hitter Christian Colon walked scored Mike Moustakas on the play with two outs. Bases loaded and Omar Infante due up.
Royals 5, Rockies 2 Top 8, 2 OutsAug 19 11:13 PM - Salvador Perez doubled to center scored Omar Infante with two outs. Runner on second and Billy Butler due up.
Royals 4, Rockies 2 Top 7, 2 OutsAug 19 10:44 PM - Omar Infante doubled to right scored Josh Willingham and Norichika Aoki with two outs. Runner on second and Salvador Perez due up.
Royals 3, Rockies 2 Top 7, 2 OutsAug 19 10:42 PM - Nolan Arenado one-out, solo Home Run (13) to left center. Corey Dickerson due up.
Royals 1, Rockies 2 Bot 5, 1 OutAug 19 10:11 PM - Lorenzo Cain doubled to center scored Billy Butler with two outs. Lorenzo Cain to third on the throw. Runner on third and Mike Moustakas due up.
Royals 1, Rockies 1 Top 4, 2 OutsAug 19 9:37 PM - Justin Morneau grounded into a double play, short to first scored Charlie Blackmon with two outs. Drew Stubbs is out at second. None on and Nolan Arenado due up.
Royals 0, Rockies 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsAug 19 8:54 PM - KANSAS CITY: 0
COLORADO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 19 8:41 PM
Related News
- Royals Rumblings - News for December 26, 2023 Dec 26
- Tuesday Rockpile: What did the Rockies get in trading for Cal Quantrill? Dec 26
- Royals Rundown: Recapping moves, MJ Melendez update, and love/hate new MLB rules? Dec 25
- Monday Rockpile: What’s under the tree for Rockies’ fans this Christmas? Dec 25
- The Royals got me what I wanted for Christmas Dec 23
- Weekend Rumblings - News for December 23, 2023 Dec 23
- This Week in Purple: Happy Holidays! Dec 23
- Royals Review Roundtable: The free-spending Royals Dec 22
- Friday Rockpile: Rockies rookies Jones and Tovar earn well-deserved bonuses Dec 22
- Royals Rumblings - News for December 22, 2023 Dec 22
- The Royals’ offense could be better than you think Dec 21
- Royals Rumblings - News for December 21, 2023 Dec 21