Pineda Goes Eight

Royals (60-86)

Gordon, LF

Cabrera, CF

Butler, DH

Hosmer, 1B

Francoeur, RF

Moustakas, 3B

Perez, C

Getz, 2B

Escobar, SS

Paulino (2-10, 4.60)

Mariners (61-83)

Ichiro, RF

Ryan, SS

Ackley, 2B

Carp, LF

Smoak, 1B

Kennedy, DH

Olivo, C

Seager, 3B

Saunders, CF

Pineda (9-9, 3.74)

Pineda went a season high 8 innings, but the first inning did him in.  He only had 14 pitches, and it lasted around 4 minutes... but the three runs the Royals quickly scored were all they needed as the Royals won 4-2.  Gordon lead off with a double to right, advanced to third on a groundout, then scored easily on a fielder's choice by Butler.  Hosmer then hit a two run homer to left field and just like that it was 3-0 before the Mariners were up.  Pineda pretty much sailed the rest of the way, scattering a few hits.  Like most good pitchers, the first inning was the key.  Felix has learned how to stay focused a lot better now, Pineda will too.  Hard to remember that this is still his first year.  He has a lot of promise.  So it was another quality start, for naught.

The only offensive highlights for the home team were two homers by Smoak and Carp (2nd and 4th innings).  They Mariners struck out 16 times and only had two hits, the solo shots.  They got on base two other times via a walk and an error but only had 29 total at bats, two above the minimum. Such a shame, another team and Pineda probably would have at least escaped with a no-decision instead of his 10th loss of the year.

On a funny note, when I went down to my seats at about 20 minutes before the game started a woman said she had reported my backpack to the ushers because I had left it unattended.  What a paranoid woman!  I told her that I've been doing this since I was a kid and that a lot of people do it.  I went up to tell the ushers in case they had called security and they all rolled their eyes and laughed about it.

Torta and Fries
Att: 17,884
16-18 when I attend