Its becoming apparent. The Royals bullpen is in trouble. Once again, they blew a lead in the late innings as the Royals lost 7-3 to Detroit losing two of three from the Tigers.
Scott Podsednik had four hits and David DeJesus scored two runs on RBI hits from Jose Guillen and Billy Butler. It was another good outing for Brian Bannister who gave up a solo home run to Magglio Ordonez in the sixth.
Things were rolling along until the eighth, when Miguel Cabrera, who homered last night in the ninth, delivered a three run blast. Dusty Hughes walked Johnny Damon to start the eighth. Newcomer Luis Mendoza came on and gave up a single to Ordonez before Cabrera hit one just over the right-field bullpen fence to put the Tigers up 4-2.
Then there was more damage in the ninth. Mendoza gave up back-to-back doubles to Adam Everett and Austin Jackson and issued a two-out walk to Ordonez. Then, Roman Colon came in and gave up a single to Cabrera and then Colon walked the bases full and hit a batter to force in the Tigers’ seventh run.
The Royals are getting great starting pitching. Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar and Brian Bannister, have pitched 19 2/3 innings, given up 17 hits and just two walks and two earned runs. They have a 0.92 ERA and three no decision.
Seven of the eight Royals relievers given up 14 earned runs on 18 hits and six walks in just 9 1/3 innings. They have a 13.50 ERA.