Justin Verlander delivers a pitch Sunday against the Royals (photo/MLB)
The only Royals batter who can really hit Justin Verlander is Billy Butler. He’s a .432 hitter against Detroit’s ace and he broke up Verlander’s no-hit bid in the sixth with a single. The end result, a 9-4 final, was another Detroit victory and a series sweep. The Royals were outscored 26-8 over the weekend and dropped five games behind the Tigers. They outhit the Royals, 42-16. The Tigers have won five straight.
“We caught a team on fire,” Butler said.
Royals left-handed starter Jason Vargas, who was solid in his first five starts, got roughed by the Tigers who scored seven runs in five innings, Vargas’ shortest outing of the year. Last Tuesday, he gave up five runs to Toronto, but the Royals rallied to win.
The Royals head west to face San Diego and Seattle this week in hopes of turning things around here in early May.