Friday, July 27, 2007

Count me among those standing amid the plaudits

37,036. No one ever accused the Yankees of being a small draw. But last night, the pockets of well-wishers of evil scattered around Kauffman Stadium had nothing to cheer about, as Jorge De La Rosa and friends -- Zack Greinke (read this by Clark Fosler... make up your own mind though) and Joakim Soria -- reached deep within the crevasses of their souls to that inner reserve of mettle and manliness and managed to blank the Bombers. If the italics don't properly convey my incredulity at this occurrence, perhaps this will:

Yankees' runs, last seven games:
7
17
21
9
9
7
0 (!!!!!!!!)

Who could have guessed, especially after Melky Cabrera's double to start the game? But De La Rosa struck out Derek Jeter, Alex Gordon made a great sprawling stop at first, Buddy Bell wisely chose to walk A-Rod and the shutout was well on its way.

Perhaps energized by the fourth straight large crowd and desperate to prove they are not in fact last year's team, the Royals turned in one of their better all-around performances of the year. They had 10 hits, eight of which went for extra bases, which is kind of amazing when you think about it. Gordon almost hit for the cycle -- he needed a measly single -- and Tony Pena Jr. drew a walk, the first time in 244 plate appearances. He also hit a triple. Apt for its hustling ways, the team had three triples, raising its Major League-leading total to 33, four ahead of Detroit.

Appropriately, Gordon recorded the assist on the final out -- he made a diving stop, this time at third, and nailed the baserunner. So if you're keeping score at home: 3 for 4 with a double, triple and home run, two defensive gems and a standing ovation. You've arrived, kid.

And hopefully these Royals are here to stay.

POSTSCRIPT 1: David DeJesus got hit with another pitch. "Once again a Royal batter is hit by a pitch," Paul Splittorff said. Indeed. That makes 61 times a Royal has been plunked this season, which is five more than the Phillies.

POSTSCRIPT 2: Octavio Dotel really likes Kansas City.

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