Jays Drop Second Straight To Royals
Posted July 7, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If the Toronto Blue Jays are serious about contending for a playoff spot come fall, they’re going to have to do a lot better against teams like the Kansas City Royals.
They didn’t do well at all against K.C. Friday night, falling behind early and failing to cash in on their opportunities, resulting in a humiliating 13-3 loss.
For the Royals, the win was their second straight in the four-game set with Toronto, ensuring at least a split with a team facing much higher expectations heading into the all-star break.
Young hurler Luke Hudson (2-3) allowed the Jays just one run in five innings, despite making his first start of the season.
Jays shortstop Aaron Hill had both hits off of Hudson, including an RBI triple in the fifth. However, he’d strike out with the bases loaded later, squandering a chance to bring his club back into the action.
It wasn’t as positive a day for Jays starter A.J. Burnett (1-3) who in his fourth appearance since coming off the disabled list went six-plus innings allowing six runs on nine hits. He also threw a season-high 116 pitches.
At the dish, the brunt of the damage was done by David DeJesus and Doug Mientkiewicz, who each had three hits and drove in three runs for the home side. John Buck added a two-run homer, and Canadian Matt Stairs a solo shot of his own.
The Royals, losers in 47 of their first 63, are a sizzling (by comparison) 14-6 over the past 20 contests. The Blue Jays on the other hand, are headed downward as they inch toward the all-star break, losers in five of their last six.
Perhaps the best news of the day for Toronto came off the field, when it was announced all-star outfielder Alex Rios was released from hospital. He’d been on the DL since June 28 with a staph infection in his left leg.
The series continues Saturday, with the Jays trying to right the ship behind southpaw Ted Lilly (8-8). He’ll square off against Scott Elarton (3-9).
