Image Credit: AP Photo / Charlie Riedel
Final Score: LAA 0 | KC 3
Overall Record: 71-56
Winning/Losing Pitcher
W: Michael Lorenzen (7-6 | 3.47 ERA)
L: Johnny Cueto (0-1 | 4.26 ERA)
Royals Players of the Game
Michael Lorenzen: 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 2 BB
Lorenzen appears to have acclimated quite well to the change of scenery after being acquired by the Royals at the trade deadline. In his four starts as a Royal, he has given up just five earned runs in 22.2 innings. He was nearly unhittable against the Angels on Thursday night. He had a four inning stretch where he didn’t allow a hit, and faced just six baserunners in his seven innings. With Alec Marsh being sent down to AAA Omaha, Lorenzen appears to have locked up the fifth starter spot for the remainder of the season.
Kyle Isbel: 1-3, 2 RBI
The offense didn’t do a whole lot in this one, but it didn’t take much with the pitching delivering a shutout. Isbel opened up the scoring with a two-run double in the bottom of the second and that would end up being all the Royals needed. He’s not a super consistent offensive weapon, but he certainly has his moments at the plate. When you add in the elite defense in center field, he has become a valuable piece of the Royals’ success.
Other Highlights
Hunter Renfroe and Adam Frazier both had a pair of hits and scored on Isbel’s double. The offense as a whole wasn’t anything to write home about, but having struck out just four times as a team is a welcomed sight.
The bullpen continues to round into late season form, as John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg both pitched scoreless innings to close out the win. The duo allowed just a single baserunner, while striking out three batters.
Summary of the Next Game
The Royals have Thursday off before starting a stretch of six straight series against teams fighting for division titles and/or playoff spots. After that stretch, there will be just 15 games left on the schedule. Needless to say, this 20-game gauntlet could very well make or break the season for the Royals. Michael Wacha will kick things off against Taijuan Walker and the Phillies on Friday.