Rookie hazing at all levels in most every sport still goes on. In most cases, the activity goes on off the field. The Royals seem to do theirs on the field, in the fashion of not giving their rookie pitchers any run support.
Rookie Brandon Duckworth made his debut for Kansas City in a 4-1 loss to the Angels. Duckworth pitched well allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six in 5.2 innings.
Too bad the Royals were held to one unearned run on five hits in seven innings by Angel’s rookie starter Jered Weaver. The Angels obviously believe in helping their rookies because Weaver is 4-0. His 1.37 ERA suggests he doesn’t need much help.
No Royals player had multiple hits. David DeJesus, Mark Grudzielanek, Doug Mientkiewicz, Mark Teahen, and Paul Bako all had one hit apiece.
The Angels welcomed Duckworth to the majors scoring a run in the first on a Vladimir Guerrero RBI double.
Kansas City tied the game in the fourth. Teahen brought in Mientkiewicz on an infield single.
It didn’t take long for the Western Division cellar dwellers to take the lead right back. After Kendry Morales led off the fourth with a single, Mike Napoli doubled and moved Morales to third. Darin Erstad grounded out to second but scored Morales on the play.
Los Angeles of Anaheim added two more insurance runs in the seventh.