Kelvin Herrera gets a pat on the chest from manager Ned Yost as he leaves the game (photo/MLB)

Kelvin Herrera gets a pat on the chest from manager Ned Yost as he leaves the game (photo/MLB)

It was the longest nine inning game in the history of the Royals…four hours and 16 minutes, and it was also a rare time the Royals bullpen faltered. Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis both gave up runs ending their respective streaks of 30.2 and 31.2 scoreless innings as the Royals lost 7-5 to the Chicago White Sox.  Herrera hasn’t given up a run since June 24th and Davis hasn’t been touched since June 25th.

That end after Davis relieved Herrera and gave up a three-run triple to Conor Gillaspie.  Herrera was charged with two of those runs and Davis one. Davis replaced Herrera with two on in the seventh inning and walked Jose Abreu to load the bases for Gillaspie, who cleared them with a triple to right-center on a 2-2 pitch to give Chicago a 7-5 lead.  The Royals used nine pitchers in the game.

The good news, or the news that stings about this loss,  is that Minnesota rallied after giving up the lead in the ninth to beat Detroit 4-3, keeping the Royals 1.5 games out of first.

It’s hard blame Herrera and Davis, when you look at what they’ve done all year, they a major reason why this club is in the race in late September.

Since the last time Davis gave up a run, the Royals are 29-5 in games he’s pitched in.  For Herrera, the club is 22-15 in games he has appeared in since he last gave up an earned run.