Kansas City Royals: Regular Season Results – MLB September 2011
Kansas City Royals started the month of September on a much more positive note after they slipped to the bottom of Wild Card standings at the end of August. Defeating the Detroit Tigers in a thrilling encounter 11-8, they looked on course to end the regular
season strongly.
However, in their first series of the month against the Cleveland Indians, the Royals again got off to a poor start. Making too many unforced errors, they went 4-5 down to the Indians in the first game of the series. Luke Hochevar earned his tenth win in
twenty starts to lead his side to level the series 1-all. Allowing an unearned run while striking-out eight and walking one, he improved to 5-2 with an ERA of 2.51 in 10 starts since the All-Star break.
"The key to it is having a simple approach and a clear approach," Hochevar said. "You just kind of get out of your own way and let everything you've learned and experienced take over."
"His sinker was as good as I've ever seen it," Royals’ manager Ned Yost said. "He had tremendous movement to it and used all his pitches effectively tonight. That was a nice job by him."
The Royals looked in much more control of their game in the series against the Baltimore Orioles, claiming the series 2-1. Danny Duffy was brilliant for his side as he allowed only four hits while striking-out four in just over six innings. Duffy’s team-mates
supported him well in the Royals’ 7-4 victory as they clinched their first series victory in more than a month.
Kansas City put up a great fight in the series against the Seattle Mariners. After losing the first two games to trail 0-2, Ned Yost’s side showed remarkable fighting spirit and determination to draw the series. Alex Gordon came up with his best as he allowed
only three hits in five scoreless innings, helping his team improve their win-loss record to 62-86.
The Royals displayed some high quality baseball in their next two series’ against the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. Ned Yost’s side showed great composure and mental abilities to improve their win-loss record to 67-86.
Making the most of available opportunities, the Royals crushed the Chicago White Sox 2-1 in the deciding game of their three match series. Luis Mendoza pitched into the eighth inning for his second successive victory.
Although the Royals won the first game against the Minnesota Twins, they fell short of expectations in the following two games to conclude a disastrous season for them. Ned Yost admitted that their performance had been below par. It will be interesting to
see how the Royals manage to bounce back in regular season next year.
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