KC Beats Tigers Behind Vargas' 18Th Victory

KC Beats Tigers Behind Vargas' 18Th Victory

Daily Clips

September 27, 2017

LOCAL

KC beats Tigers behind Vargas' 18th victory

Sept. 26, 2017 By Jason Beck and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Royals proud of run, despite being eliminated

With stars becoming free agents, future is uncertain for club

Sept. 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Yost reflects on missed chances down stretch

Royals' struggles in September left postseason out of reach

Sept. 26, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Junis highlights Royals' Minor League Awards

Righty named Triple-A Pitcher of the Year; infielder Schwindel earns Player of the Year honors

Sept. 26, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Hammel to face Tigers in final start of '17

Sept. 26, 2017By Jason Beck/MLB.com

Royals still see something to fight for

Sept. 26, 2017By Maria Torres/KC Star

Royals as you know them gird themselves for goodbyes and a new era

Sept. 26, 2017By Vahe Gregorian/KC Star

MLB TRANSACTIONS
September 27, 2017 •.CBSSports.com

LOCAL

KC beats Tigers behind Vargas' 18th victory

Sept. 26, 2017 By Jason Beck and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield doubled and scored, and drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, and the Royals held off the Tigers, 2-1, on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The Twins beat the Indians, 8-6, eliminating the Royals from postseason contention, and perhaps ending this era of Royals baseball as numerous players can become free agents, including first baseman Eric Hosmer.

"We fell short," Hosmer said. "We're not going where we want to go, but it's not from lack of effort. We did all we can do. We were in it at the break, and we tried to get some pieces to help us out. Really no regrets."

Royals left-hander Jason Vargas went six innings and gave up five hits and one run, winning his 18th game, which tied him for the Major League lead with the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and Cleveland's Corey Kluber.

"Very strong," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Vargas. "Commanded his pitches down in the zone, changed speeds very effectively. Did a great job. Gave himself an opportunity, gave us a chance to win, and himself a chance to win number 18."

Hosmer doubled in a run in the fourth inning, marking his 189th hit this season, which set a career high.

Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez turned in a solid outing, going six innings and giving up seven hits and two runs. He walked one and struck out six, and has struck out 25 batters over 18 innings in three consecutive quality starts.

"I feel really good. I think I've found out a way to finish the hitters," Sanchez (3-6) said. "I think before the last few outings, I just wasn't able to finish hitters. I'd deliver a ball right in the middle, a lot of homers. But I've found a way to strike out guys, get a ground ball, finish innings, cut out rallies."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Merrifield's go-ahead sacrifice fly: Brandon Moss singled in the fifth and with one out, Alex Gordon's single moved Moss to third. That brought up Merrifield, who already had doubled and lined out hard to left. This time, Merrifield lifted a deep fly to right that easily scored Moss and the Royals had a 2-1 lead.

Kinsler gets RBI, vested: Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler put the Tigers ahead, 1-0, in the third with a two-out single that drove in JaCoby Jones, who had walked and stolen second base. The single also happened to be Kinsler's 600th plate appearance this season, which automatically vested an $11 million option for him in 2018.

QUOTABLE

"But the ride's been unbelievable. I've experienced things here that I've never experienced in my life before, made better friends here than I've ever made. I'm just looking forward to getting to put the uniform on one more time." -- Vargas

"I'm good with the way I am right now. I feel healthy. I just want to finish strong. So far I've done it. I don't have a problem with going to the offseason as a free agent. I would like to stay on the team, but it's something that I don't control. We'll move forward after that." -- Sanchez on what his strong finish means for his potential free-agent market

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Sanchez's 2.55 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) at Kauffman Stadium is the best among active Royals opponents (minimum 50 innings). He's 6-6 with a 3.03 ERA in 16 starts overall against the Royals.

REPLAY REVIEW

The Tigers challenged an out call at second base in the sixth inning, when Kinsler was caught stealing after a one-out single. Replay confirmed that second baseman Merrifield tagged Kinsler before he could reach for the bag.

WHAT'S NEXT

Tigers: Jordan Zimmermann (8-13, 6.19) makes his final start of the year and second start back from neck issues, hoping improved mobility will allow him to build some momentum toward next season as the series continues Wednesday with an 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch.

Royals: Right-hander Jason Hammel (8-13, 5.32 ERA) will make his team-leading 32nd and final start of 2017 on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. CT against the Tigers. Hammel went 3 1/3 innings last Friday against the White Sox and gave up seven runs and eight hits.

Royals proud of run, despite being eliminated

With stars becoming free agents, future is uncertain for club

Sept. 27, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Word began to trickle inside the Royals clubhouse on Tuesday night, moments after they beat Detroit, 2-1, that the Twins also had won, thus eliminating the Royals from postseason contention.

But the mood remained upbeat as the players preferred to discuss their accomplishments, which included two World Series appearances and a World Series title in 2015, rather than this season's shortcoming.

"Most definitely [it has been special]," center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. "My six years here have been amazing. A lot of fun times. A lot of ups and downs.

"Getting to two World Series … is amazing. These guys are amazing."

The reality is perhaps setting in, too, that several of the Royals who are pending free agents may not be around next season in Kansas City. The list includes Cain, Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas and Jason Vargas.

"Extremely special time here," Hosmer said. "I think the biggest thing is we had some injuries and guys were banged up, but guys were coming in and doing whatever they can to go play. Guys were roughed up but they realized we were a better team with them in the lineup. To see your teammates grind and put themselves in the lineup, you can't ask for more.

"We fell short. We're not going where we want to go, but it's not from lack of effort. We did all we can do. We were in it at the break, and we tried to get some pieces to help us out. Really no regrets. Everyone that works for this organization put this team in the best possible position to win and that's all you can ask for."

Vargas, who threw six strong innings in Tuesday's win, seemed perhaps the most emotional in talking about his four years with the Royals.

"It's been unbelievable," Vargas said. "I don't want to get too much into it. I got one more start left. I'd like to think about it after that. But the ride's been unbelievable. I've experienced things here that I've never experienced in my life before, made better friends here than I've ever made. I'm just looking forward to getting to put the uniform on one more time."

Royals manager Ned Yost, though, remained stoic and said he preferred not to reflect on this group until after the season.

"No. Not really," Yost said. "We'll do that at the end of the year. We've still got games to play. I'm not going to sit here and reflect right now."

Yost reflects on missed chances down stretch

Royals' struggles in September left postseason out of reach

Sept. 26, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

As Royals manager Ned Yost looked back on this month and why his team couldn't surge into postseason contention, he went straight to the period right after the Royals and Twins split a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium, from Sept. 7-10.

"I thought even after the Minnesota series we were in really good shape, just 2 1/2 games out [of the second Wild Card]," Yost said. "We lost the first two of that series and won the next two.

"Then we played Chicago and lost four of six [over the next two weeks]. Those are the teams, if you're a playoff contender, that you've got to beat. Even though they're a talented team, they're a young team.

"[In between] we went into Cleveland and played arguably the best team in the league and could have won three of four [but won just once]. I don't know who else has beat them this month, maybe one other team."

By the end of the Cleveland series, the Royals were five games behind the Twins and fading from contention. Hope was renewed briefly when they took two of three from Toronto, but once again they couldn't handle the rebuilding White Sox, and lost two of three, virtually ending their playoff chances.

The Royals went into each White Sox series with the mindset of a sweep.

"Worst-case scenario is to win the series each time," Yost said. "We couldn't do that."

Yost said there will be plenty of time to reflect on what went wrong in September once the season is over Sunday.

"We have been battling," he said. "We just didn't get it done.

"We couldn't put it all together. We couldn't put the offense together with good pitching. Simple as that."

Junis highlights Royals' Minor League Awards

Righty named Triple-A Pitcher of the Year; infielder Schwindel earns Player of the Year honors

Sept. 26, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

The Royals on Tuesday name their Minor Leaguer Players and Pitchers of the Year, and all those named will be at Kauffman Stadium on Friday for an on-field ceremony.

Triple-A Omaha

Infielder Frank Schwindel, 25, was named the Player of the Year. He set career highs in doubles (43), home runs (23) and RBIs (97) in 133 games between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Omaha, leading Royals farmhands in doubles and RBIs.

Right-hander Jakob Junis, 25, was named the Pitcher of the Year. He went 3-5 with a 2.92 ERA in 12 starts, recording 86 strikeouts (10.9 K/9) and just 15 walks (0.8 BB/9). He matched a career high with 12 strikeouts in seven innings on May 26 at Nashville, tying the Omaha record (since 1998).

Double-A Northwest Arkansas

Outfielder Donnie Dewees, 23, was named Player of the Year. He hit .272 with 24 doubles and a career-high nine home runs in 126 games, and he tied for third among Texas League players in triples (six) while ranking sixth in stolen bases (20) and ninth in runs (67).

Left-hander Foster Griffin, 22, was named Pitcher of the Year. He went 11-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 18 starts following a promotion from Wilmington.

Class A Advanced Wilmington

Shortstop Nicky Lopez, 22, was named Player of the Year. He hit .295 with a .376 on-base percentage in 70 games before his promotion to Northwest Arkansas on June 26.

Left-hander Richard Lovelady, 22, was named Pitcher of the Year. He went 1-0 with seven saves, a 1.08 ERA and 41 strikeouts (11.1 K/9) to just four walks (1.1 BB/9) in 21 appearances, earning Carolina League All-Star honors before his promotion to Northwest Arkansas on June 26.

Class A Lexington

Third baseman Emmanuel Rivera, 21, was named Player of the Year. He hit .310/.364/.468 to lead the South Atlantic League in batting average and hits, and he ranked fifth in on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Right-hander Jace Vines, 23, was named Pitcher of the Year. He went 9-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 19 appearances (14 starts), earning South Atlantic League All-Star honors before his promotion to Wilmington on Aug. 28.

Rookie-level Idaho Falls

First baseman Robby Rinn, 24, was named Player of the Year. He hit .355/.429/.511 with 30 extra-base hits and 59 RBIs in 69 games for the Chukars, and he ranked among the Pioneer League leaders in hits (first), doubles (22, first), runs (58, tied for second) and RBIs (tied for third).

Right-hander Janser Lara, 21, was named Pitcher of the Year. In his first season stateside, he went 4-2 with a 4.13 ERA and 57 strikeouts (9.8 K/9) in 12 appearances (10 starts), earning Pioneer League All-Star honors. Lara was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic on July 3, 2015.

Rookie-level Burlington

Outfielder Michael Gigliotti, 21, was named Player of the Year. He hit .329/.442/.477 in 42 games and ranked among Appalachian League leaders in on-base percentage (third), stolen bases (15, third), walks (32, third) and batting average (sixth).

Right-hander Sal Biasi, 21, was named Pitcher of the Year. After starting his season with four appearances for Surprise, he went 3-2 with a 2.44 ERA and a .186 opponents' average in nine outings (seven starts) with Burlington.

Rookie-level Surprise

First baseman Nick Pratto, 18, was named Player of the Year. He hit .247 with 22 extra-base hits and 34 RBIs in 52 games and ranked first among Arizona League players with five sacrifice flies. Pratto was the Royals' first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2017 Draft.

Right-hander Charlie Neuweiler, 18, was named Pitcher of the Year. He went 3-3 with a 1.76 ERA and a .192 opponents' average in 12 appearances (five starts).

Dominican Summer League

Infielder Rubendy Jaquez, 18, was named Player of the Year. He hit .267 with a .362 on-base percentage and led the team in games (62), at-bats, stolen bases (19) and total bases (71).

Right-hander Delvin Capellan, 18, was named Pitcher of the Year. The first-year player went 3-2 with a 0.48 ERA and 48 strikeouts to just three walks (16.0 K/BB) in 12 starts.

Hammel to face Tigers in final start of '17

Sept. 26, 2017By Jason Beck/MLB.com

While the Royals play out what could be the final week for the core of their team together, Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann -- under contract for three more years -- makes his final start of a frustrating 2017 campaign on Wednesday hoping to build momentum toward next season.

Royals starter Jason Hammel makes his 2017 finale on a three-game losing streak, having been unable to complete four innings two of his last three starts. His last win was against the Tigers in Detroit on Sept. 6.

Eric Hosmer, one of four regulars in the Royals lineup who are eligible for free agency this offseason, is expected to get another start at designated hitter Wednesday as he grinds out the stretch run. Hosmer started at DH on Tuesday, with Brandon Moss getting the start at first base.

Zimmermann returned last Thursday for his first start in three weeks after receiving a nerve block injection to quiet the neck stiffness that has bothered him for much of the past two seasons. He gave up three runs on five hits over four innings against the Twins last week, but said he felt free and easy pitching for the first time in a while.

"I was just happy to get out there and be able to locate a fastball," Zimmermann said. "I haven't been able to do that in a long time. That was encouraging."

He will need more than that to quiet the Royals, but he has had a surprising amount of success against them since signing with Detroit. He tossed 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball with no walks and seven strikeouts on July 17 at Kauffman Stadium, and gave up just two runs over 17 1/3 innings with 17 strikeouts in three meetings last year.

Things to know about this game

• While Hammel has allowed 45 hits and a .381 batting average over five September starts, his expected average allowed during that time is a more modest .292, according to Statcast. That gap of 89 points in the fourth largest for any pitcher who has logged at least 75 opponent at-bats this month, suggesting Hammel's recent struggles are due, at least in part, to some bad fortune.

• Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins remains day-to-day with a strained intercostal muscle.

• Royals right fielder Melky Cabrera is 5-for-19 off Zimmermann with a double, home run and four RBIs.

Royals still see something to fight for

Sept. 26, 2017By Maria Torres/KC Star

About two months ago, Royals starter Danny Duffy ordered a giant version of the tabletop game Connect Four.

Back then, the Royals had become buyers at the trade deadline. They were only a few games behind the Cleveland Indians for the lead in the American League Central. They appeared poised for their third appearance in the playoffs in four years.

Duffy hoped the game would arrive at Kauffman Stadium by October so he could provide his teammates with a way to relieve the ever-mounting stress of a postseason chase.

The package indeed made it to Kansas City by the time the Royals returned for their final home stand of the season.