Royals at Tigers (series one) recap

Who would have predicted that the Kansas City Royals would come out and sweep the overly-hyped Tigers to open the season? The Royals came out and played solid fundamental baseball and they out pitched, hit, and hustled the Tigers.


Game 1: Meche battled through 6 innings giving up three runs, he was followed by Tomko, Nunez and Soria. Gordon provided the early offense with a 2-run shot in the 6th. Royals hold on to win 5-4 in 11 innings.


Player of the game: Alex Gordon; his two run shot got the Royals on the board and rattled Verlander.


Game 2: Brian Bannister was the story of this game going 7 innings allowing 0 ER and only 2 hits, he was followed by Nunez and Soria. Grudzeilanek, Guillen, and Butler each had a double in the 6th accounting for the Royals first 2 runs. Royals win 4-0, in getting their first shut-out of the year.


Player of the game: Brian Bannister; he was amazing, enough said.


Game 3: Zach Greinke kept the good pitching performances going by throwing 7 strong innings allowing only 1 ER. Greinke was following by Ramirez, and Soria. The offense was again started by Gordon going yard in the 4th, a two run shot. The Royals scored single runs in the 6th (Teahens 1st HR) and 7th en route to a 4-1 win and completed the sweep.


Player of the game: Zack Greinke; he was solid, especially when runners were on base.


Unheralded player(s) of the series: Mark Grudzeilanek (6-12, 3 runs) and Joakim Soria. (3IP, 4K's, 2 saves)

Look at the numbers:

• Royals are 3-0 for the first time since 2003
• The Royals didn't win a series last year until April 20-22nd against the Twins
• Royals allowed only 5 ER's in 29 Innings while striking out 24 K's/9 BB's
• Royals outscored the Tigers 13-5
• Royals out homered the Tigers 3-2
• Royals out hit the Tigers 29-21
• Royals don't play the Tigers again until May 13th
• Royals were 3-4 in SB attempts

Notes: David DeJesus only played 3 innings due to re-injuring his ankle.