For the second time in a week, the Royals squared off against A.L Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana and for the second time in a week they lost to him. Santana got the win in a 2-1 decision at Kauffman Stadium Tuesday night.
Offense was at a premium on Tuesday, even though the Twins scored in the top of the first inning when Justin Morneau drove in Nick Punto with a single off Royals’ starter Jose Lima. It stayed 1-1 until Einar Diaz knocked in Terrence Long with a single off Santana.
It was 1-1 in the ninth inning when the wheels fell off for Kansas City. Reliever Andy Sisco allowed a one-out single to Matt LeCroy and was replaced with Ambiorix Burgos, who was making just his second major league appearance. Burgos walked Michael Cuddyer but almost got away with it.
Shannon Stewart grounded to third and Joe McEwing got the second out of the inning with the force out, but he made a throwing error and the runners advanced to second and third. Lew Ford singled to drive in the go-ahead run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Angel Berroa, Matt Stairs and Terrence Long went down in order to end the game. Santana, who went eight innings got the win to improve to 4-0. Lima lasted 7 2/3 and wasn’t a part of the decision. Burgos was charged with the loss.
The Royals dropped their sixth straight game and fell to 4-16—that’s the worst record in the majors. Despite the early struggles, General Manager Allard Baird told the Associated Press that manager Tony Pena’s job is not in question and plans on Pena being the skipper for the entire season.
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