Daily Clips
July 25, 2017
LOCAL
KC dozen-'t quit; W in extras has streak at 6
July 25, 2017By Jason beck and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals deal for SD's Cahill, Maurer, Buchter
Wood, Strahm and Minor Leaguer sent to Padres in trade
July 25, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals players excited by Moore's trade with SD
Kansas City front office shows commitment to postseason push
July 25, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals go for 7 in a row as Duffy faces Detroit
July 25, 2017By Jordan Horrobin/MLB.com
34 years ago today, the iconic George Brett Pine Tar Incident happened at Yankee Stadium
July 25, 2017By Adrian Garro/MLB.com
Royals’ power surge continues in sixth straight victory
July 25, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals acquire three pitchers from Padres in exchange for Matt Strahm and Travis Wood
July 25, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Seven things you may not know about the trio of new Royals pitchers
July 25, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Matt Strahm writes that he’s grateful for ‘honor of being a Royal’
July 25, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
New Royals pitcher Trevor Cahill excited to join team that’s in a playoff hunt
July 25, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
MINORS
Schwindel's Swings Not Enough in 14-6 Defeat
El Paso earns split in series despite Schwindel's 2 homers
July 25, 2017Omaha Storm Chasers
Blue Rocks and Red Sox Suspended
Wilmington and Salem to Resume 1-1 Ballgame on Tuesday
July 25, 2017Wilmington Blue Rocks
WV edges Legends in 11, 8-7
July 25, 2017Lexington Legends
Cardinals Snap Royals' Streak in Series Opener
Burlington held to a single run as Johnson City wins 4-1
July 25, 2017By Matt Krause/Burlington Royals
NATIONAL
Twins, Royals making moves to try to catch first-place Indians
July 25, 2017By Ron Clements/Sporting News
For Pirates and Royals, dealing current stars for future value isn't simple
July 25, 2017ByBradfords Doolittle/ESPN.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
July 25, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
KC dozen-'t quit; W in extras has streak at 6
July 25, 2017By Jason beck and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit back-to-back home runs in the 12th inning, powering the Royals to their sixth straight win with a 5-3 victory over the Tigers on Monday night at Comerica Park.
The win kept the Royals 1 1/2 games behind the Indians in the American League Central. Kansas City moved alone into the second AL Wild Card spot, a game over the Rays.
The Royals had a 3-0 lead on Justin Verlander in potentially his final start as a Tiger, depending on whether the swirling trade rumors come to fruition in advance of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Jason Hammel took the lead into the sixth before Miguel Cabrera's RBI single and Alex Avila's two-run single -- off lefty reliever Scott Alexander -- brought the Tigers even.
A bloop single was all the Royals mustered from the sixth inning until Perez jumped on a changeup from Drew VerHagen (0-1), called up earlier in the day to provide an extra reliever from Triple-A Toledo.
"We always compete to win and we play hard," Perez said. "And the bullpen did a tremendous job and gave us the opportunity to win."
Added Moustakas: "Ever since the [AL] Wild Card game [in 2014], we've had the confidence to win close games and one-run games. Nobody tries to do too much."
Verlander, pitching in front of a handful of scouts, tossed seven innings of three-run ball, with two walks and nine strikeouts, tying his season high with 119 pitches in a no-decision.
Hammel lasted 5 2/3 innings, charged with three runs allowed, walking one, striking out four and allowing five hits, also in a no-decision.
"Overall, great game," Hammel said. "Probably best my sinker has ever been. Two-seamer was working in the zone, stayed aggressive. I was able to get deep."
Jake Junis (3-2) earned the win with a scoreless 11th ahead of Kelvin Herrera's 20th save.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Bonifacio hits the hanger: While Verlander topped out at 98 mph, he took a while, and he had spotty command of his secondary pitches. Jorge Bonifacio took a hanging breaking ball from Verlander in the sixth, but he didn't miss the next one, sending it out to left for a leadoff home run and a 3-0 Royals lead.
"Hanging slider," Verlander said. "Just a crappy pitch, caught the barrel."
Avila wins lefty-lefty matchup: Avila stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth in an 0-for-14 slump. Moreover, he was facing a lefty-lefty matchup with Alexander, who put him in an 0-2 hole. Alexander tried to finish him off with a sinker at the knees, but Avila reached for it and laced a line drive into left-center, scoring Alex Presley and Cabrera for a 3-3 game.
"He's got that power sinker, which is unusual for a left-hander," Avila said of Alexander, whom he faced last week in Kansas City. "Really, you just kind of have to see the ball up, because wherever you see the ball, it's probably going to end up about two feet below where you see it."
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Verlander's nine strikeouts pushed his career total to 2,317, one ahead of Rube Waddell for 49th on the all-time Major League list. He's fourth among active pitchers behind CC Sabathia, Bartolo Colon and Felix Hernandez.
QUOTABLE
"I know I didn't acknowledge it when I was walking off the mound, probably because we're in the middle of a tie game. You don't know what's going to happen. Maybe I wish I could've gone back and said thank you, but who knows? Maybe there's a lot more of those to come. All I know is that I heard it, I felt it, I appreciated it, and I love these fans. And I'm glad that they acknowledged that." -- Verlander, on the standing ovation he received on his way off the mound at the end of the seventh inning
WHAT'S NEXT
Royals: Left-hander Danny Duffy (6-6, 3.71 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals in the second game of the series at 6:10 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Duffy gave up four runs and nine hits over five-plus innings in the Royals' 16-4 win over Detroit last Thursday.
Tigers: Michael Fulmer (10-7, 3.35) gets a rematch with the Royals hoping to avenge the worst start of his career last time out. Kansas City took advantage of a three-error opening inning and pounded Fulmer for eight runs, five earned, on seven hits over 2 2/3 innings last Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch Tuesday at Comerica Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Royals deal for SD's Cahill, Maurer, Buchter
Wood, Strahm and Minor Leaguer sent to Padres in trade
July 25, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals general manager Dayton Moore has said for weeks that he planned on remaining all-in with this group of Royals, opting to buy ahead of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline rather than sell.
Moore backed up that belief with a trade Monday with the San Diego Padres that should bolster the Royals' rotation and bullpen. The Royals acquired left-hander Ryan Buchter and right-handers Trevor Cahill and Brandon Maurer in exchange for left-handers Matt Strahm and Travis Wood, and Minor League infielder Esteury Ruiz.
A source indicated that the Royals also will pick up about $7.2 million left on Wood's two-year, $12 million deal.
The Royals also announced they recalled left-hander Brain Flynn from Triple-A Omaha, and designated for assignment Al Alburquerque and right-hander Luke Farrell.
Moore said Cahill, 29, would slide into the rotation replacing Wood. Cahill was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA with the Padres. He will be a free agent after this season. Buchter and Maurer give the Royals more depth setting up closer Kelvin Herrera.
"We felt we needed to make sure we strengthened our pitching staff," Moore said in a conference call. "Obviously, Trevor Cahill can slide into our rotation. Ryan and Brandon help deepen our 'pen. Our 'pen has been executing pitches well and getting outs. But as you know, as you go deeper into the season, it's incumbent on the bullpen to take the ball each and every night. More quality depth is what we shopped for."
Buchter, 30, was 3-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 42 relief outings for the Padres. Buchter, who has held lefties to a .175 average this season, will be under club control for four more seasons after the current one.
Maurer, 27, has served as the Padres' closer this season, converting 20 of his 23 save opportunities, including 15-straight since May 28. Overall, Maurer has a 5.72 ERA. The Royals will have club control with him for two more seasons.
"[Club control] was a big part of it," Moore said. "The control was huge. If we were to trade a pitcher like Strahm and a player like Ruiz, we wanted to be clear we wanted to strengthen us now and get better depth for the future.
"It's never easy trading young players. MattyStrahm has a terrific future. Ruiz is tearing up the Arizona Rookie League, but he's several years away. So it made sense to move forward. Travis Wood has pitched well and helped stabilize things for us and gave us some meaningful innings."
Strahm is on the 60-day disabled list with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
Cahill missed some time this season with a strained shoulder, but the Royals are confident in Cahill's health.
"Our medical team examined the records," Moore said. "We made the deal."
The Royals began Monday night 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Indians in the American League Central, and were tied with Tampa Bay for the second AL Wild Card spot.
"We're very excited," Moore said. "We always felt good about this team. Baseball is unpredictable. You go through phases. We got hot together, and cold together. But they have proved they can weather the storm and ride off the downturns and get off the mat. We're certainly in the thick of the race in our division. We thought we were better off to execute a deal sooner rather than later."
Moore also indicated the Royals might not be done dealing.
"We'll continue to monitor the situation," Moore said.
Fantasy spin | Fred Zinkie (@FredZinkieMLB)
With a 10.6 K/9 rate and a 56.8 percent ground-ball rate, Cahill has shown an enticing skill set this season. Now that he's headed to a Kansas City club that ranks fifth in baseball with 235 runs scored since June 1 and fields a much better defense than San Diego's, the right-hander should join the active lineup in every league. In the Royals' bullpen, Kelvin Herrera could get a slight boost in save chances as the anchor of an improved pitching staff, while Maurer can be dropped in all leagues as he settles into a middle-relief role. Meanwhile, Brad Hand (2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP in '17) should be added in most leagues despite the trade rumors that surround him, as he has the skills to be a solid closer for the duration of his time in San Diego.
Royals players excited by Moore's trade with SD
Kansas City front office shows commitment to postseason push
July 25, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Inside the Royals' clubhouse after another stirring victory -- this one a 5-3 win in 12 innings over the Tigers on Monday -- talk turned to the front office's commitment to doing whatever is necessary to help this team get back to the postseason.
Earlier in the day, just before game time, general manager Dayton Moore pulled off a trade with the Padres that could immediately bolster the Royals' pitching staff. Moore acquired right-hander Trevor Cahill, left-hander Ryan Buchter and right-hander Brandon Maurer. The Royals gave up left-handers Matt Strahm and Travis Wood, and Minor Leaguer Esteury Ruiz.
"I think it's going to be great for us," Royals catcher Salvador Perez said. "I think we'll get a little better with those guys coming tomorrow. Whatever it takes to get back to what we were in 2014 and 2015."
Royals manager Ned Yost said Cahill will replace Wood as the No. 5 starter. Buchter and Maurer will join Yost's group of setup men ahead of closer Kelvin Herrera.
"We've got a really good bullpen now," Yost said, "and I think we're going to have a great one. With these new additions, they're going to add depth, they're going to add quality, and it'll be a great bullpen."
Royals players buzzed about the move, from those who haven't been with the team too long to the mainstays.
"We're trying to do something special here," right-hander Jason Hammel said. "The front office is doing whatever it can that they think will help. … It's a commitment to winning.
"It takes the question out of your mind. Not that we pay attention to the whole 'sellers' or 'buyers,' but it lets you know they're committed in this run. They're confident we can go out and make a big second-half move and go deep into October."
Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas knows Moore wants another title with this core group.
"It's the same message he's been sending all year," Moustakas said. "This team's in it. We're in it. We're going to go out there and try to win a World Series.
"Dayton's been saying it all year. We've been saying it all year, and our goal is to go out there and try to win a World Series. It says a lot."
Royals go for 7 in a row as Duffy faces Detroit
July 25, 2017By Jordan Horrobin/MLB.com
Though it's not exactly a do-over, Michael Fulmer will face the Royals for the second time in a week as he matches up again with Danny Duffy at Comerica Park on Tuesday night.
Kansas City will be looking for its seventh consecutive win.
Fulmer had the roughest outing of his season last Thursday, allowing eight runs (five earned) in 2 2/3 innings against the Royals. For just the second time in 19 starts, Fulmer was unable to complete at least six innings.
"It's a lot easier to get the same matchup again, five days later," Fulmer said. "Obviously being me and Duffy again, it's just the same team and it's a good time to go out and show how much better I can be."
Duffy wasn't his sharpest self on Thursday either, but his five innings of four-run ball were enough for the win as his offense went off for 16 runs. He's kept his opponents in check lately, in terms of free bases, allowing just two walks in 26 innings in July.
Part of that could be explained by high strike rates and called-strike rates, which have been at their highest this season over his past three starts. Duffy's strike rate has jumped from 64.7 percent prior to July 9 to 72.5 percent since then, while his called-strike rate has gone from 13.8 percent to 22.7 percent.
Three things to know about this game
• Both starters are among the league leaders in limiting the long ball, as Fulmer has yielded just eight home runs in 126 1/3 innings (0.6 HR/9) and Duffy has given up seven in 94 2/3 innings (0.7 HR/9).
• Three weeks before his blowup game against Kansas City, Fulmer came one out shy of shutting out the Royals in Detroit. They strung together enough hits to chase him, leaving Fulmer to settle for two runs allowed on seven hits in 8 2/3 innings.
• Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez has been the toughest out for Duffy in Detroit's lineup. Martinez has a .351/.415/.622 slash line against Duffy in 41 career plate appearances, including 10-for-22 (.455) with three home runs since the beginning of 2015.
34 years ago today, the iconic George Brett Pine Tar Incident happened at Yankee Stadium
July 25, 2017By Adrian Garro/MLB.com
It was one of the wildest scenes to ever take place on the diamond. On July 24, 1983, Royals star George Brett stepped up in the ninth inning against Hall of Famer Goose Gossage and hit a home run to right field, putting Kansas City up, 5-4.
And then ... it happened. Yankees manager Billy Martin asked the umpiring crew, led by Tim McClelland, to review Brett's bat for a potential pine tar infraction. After a conference, it was upheld, Brett was retroactively ruled out, and ... well, you know the scene.
Today marks the 34th anniversary of that fateful day at Yankee Stadium, one that led to the Royals protesting the ruling. MLB would uphold their protest, ordering the game to be resumed a few weeks later. Kansas City won the suspended game, 5-4, and Brett's controversial homer stood -- but his ejection from the game also stood, as well.
It was obviously a sequence of events nobody will ever forget, and the image of an irate Brett storming out of the dugout to protest the call is among the game's most iconic. In the years since, Brett has accepted the incident as one of his career highlights, and maintained a pretty honest and open take on it: