|
 It certainly was not the way Angels manager Mike Scioscia designed
it, but adjustments had to be made after the Angels scored six runs
the final two innings to beat the Kansas City Royals 7-6 and snap a
nine-game losing streak.
Starting shortstop Erick Aybar was a late scratch with back
tightness and Scioscia emptied his bench with pinch hitter C.J. Cron
and Calhoun delivering two-run doubles off Royals closer Greg
Holland in the ninth.
"That was the best we could come up with," Scioscia said. "There
were some things we had to do with so many guys out of position."
Angels closer Huston Street gave up a solo home run to Eric Hosmer
and a Kendrys Morales single and a walk before retiring Alex Rios on
a fly ball to end the 3 hours, 45 minute marathon.
"It was surprising," Street said of the defensive alignment. "But at
the same time, you just have to trust your guys."
The Royals lost for the first time in 61 games this season when
leading after eight innings.
Kansas City's usually dependable bullpen was unreliable with
right-hander Wade Davis and Holland unable to hold a four-run lead
after seven innings.
"He's human," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Holland. "He's not a
robot. It happens, but not very often."
Holland faced six batters in the ninth and retired none of them.
Holland (3-1) blew his fourth save, allowing four runs on four hits,
two walks and two wild pitches. It was the first time since Aug. 5,
2010, that Holland allowed more than three runs in a game.
"I didn't get an out, so they all frustrated me," Holland said. "I
thought I had some really good stuff. It was my fault we lost the
game. I felt really good on the mound other than I didn't get it
done.
"When you're leading in the ninth inning, you should win the game.
I'd rather win a game with bad stuff than lose one with good stuff.
I've done that, too. We should have won the game and we didn't."
Davis, who had missed the previous six games with back stiffness,
gave up two runs in the eighth. It was the first time since April 5,
2014, that Davis allowed more than one run in a game, a span of 114
outings.
"It sucks to see it two nights in a row especially from a group of
guys that have done well all year," Davis said of the Royals unable
to hold late leads the past two games.
Center fielder Mike Trout contributed a RBI double and scored on
designated hitter David Murphy's ground out in the eighth for the
Angels.
[to top of second column] |
Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, who had 7.83 ERA in his four
previous starts, silenced the Angels on two hits and one run over
six innings. He settled for a no-decision.
The Royals scored two runs in the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie.
Designated hitter Kendrys Morales led off the inning with a walk,
moved to third on third baseman Mike Moustakas' double into the
left-field corner and scored on right fielder Alex Rios' sacrifice
fly to right fielder Kole Calhoun. Catcher Drew Butera, who opened
the season with the Angels, drilled a two-out RBI single to left.
The Royals padded their lead in the seventh with two more runs off
reliever Cory Rasmus. Left fielder Ben Zobrist, who reached base
four times with two hits and two walks, began the inning with a walk
and Jarrod Dyson ran for him. With one out, Dyson stole second and
scooted to third on catcher Carlos Perez's throwing error. First
baseman Eric Hosmer singled home Dyson and scored on Morales' double
off the right-field wall.
The Royals led 1-0 after three batters. Shortstop Alcides Escobar
singled on the first pitch from right-hander Garrett Richards. He
moved to third on left fielder Ben Zobrist's single and scored on
center fielder Lorenzo Cain's single to right.
Guthrie, who had given up 10 or more hits in his previous three
starts, held the Angels hitless until Murphy doubled with two outs
in the fourth. Murphy scored on third baseman Conor Gillaspie's
single to center, tying the score at 1. Gillaspie's hit ended an
0-for-23 Angels famine with runners in scoring position.
NOTES: Angels LHP C.J. Wilson, who went on the disabled list July
31, opted to undergo season-ending surgery to remove bone chips. ...
Angels SS Erick Aybar was a late scratch from the lineup with lower
back tightness. ... Royals LF Alex Gordon hopes to go on a rehab
assignment "shortly," although no date has been set. He went on the
disabled list July 9 with a strained left groin. ... 2B Johnny
Giavotella moved back into the leadoff spot for the Angels, who are
24-10 when he bats first. ... Angels RHP Jered Weaver and Royals LHP
Danny Duffy are the probable starters on Friday.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
