Royals sweep behind Bannister
9:38 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Royals 10, Tigers 4
How's that for leaving the Detroit Tigers in a pile of cat fur?
The Royals pounced on the Tigers, 10-4, on Wednesday night to sweep the three-game series and take a solid grasp of fourth place in the American League Central.
Trying to escape finishing last for the first time in five years, the Royals gave winner Brian Bannister (9-16) the luxury of seven runs in the fifth inning.
Mitch Maier led off with a single and, in his second at-bat in the inning, ripped a bases-loaded triple into the right-field corner to finish the scoring. The Royals had just four hits with the generous Tigers contributing four walks, including two with the bases jammed. Alex Gordon had an RBI single in the mix.
Bannister, in his final start of the season, worked six shutout innings and gave up seven hits, all singles. The shutout ended in the seventh when Mike Hessman homered against reliever Kip Wells.
The Royals got an unearned run in the second inning after pitcher Nate Robertson was unable to touch first base as he covered on a potential third out. Gordon was safe and eventually scored on Tony Pena Jr.'s single.
John Buck singled in a run in the fourth.
The Tigers, losing for the 12th time in 13 games, are in last place after being a preseason favorite to win the division. The Royals have won 11 of their last 13 games.
Placido Polanco added a three-run homer in the ninth inning to make the final score, 10-4.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)