GAME #71, BOSTON RED SOX AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS

[Bear]

RED SOX V ROYALS

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2017, 8 PM AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM

TV:  NESN, FSKC

BOSTON, (39-31)...........................................................................KANSAS, (34-35)

BOSTON:

CHRIS SALE, LHP, 8-3, 2.82 ERA, 136K

The Major League strikeout king, Sale notched ten K's for the ninth time in
14 starts during a Thursday appearance in Philadelphia.  Sale allowed just one
run and four hits in eight innings vs the Phillies, but it still wasn't enough in a
1-0 loss.

KANSAS:

MATT STRAHM, LHP, 2-3, 3.67 ERA, 28K

Strahm made his Major Lague start on June 15 after pitching in 41 games out
of the bull pen over the last two seasons.  With a limited pitch count,  Strahm pitched five
innings.  One unearned run scored on him.

After tough-luck loss, Sale takes on Royals

Ian Browne

In a battle of talented left-handers, the Red Sox send veteran ace Chris Sale to the mound while the Royals counter with emerging 25-year-old Matt Strahm on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

This will be Strahm's second Major League start. After making 41 career relief appearances, Strahm got the opportunity to start for the first time last Thursday on the road against the Angels and picked up the win, allowing one unearned run over five innings.

Meanwhile, Sale has completely lived up to expectations in his first season with the Red Sox. Last time out, Sale struck out 10 and allowed one run over eight innings, but took a complete-game, 1-0 loss to the Phillies on Thursday.

Sale entered Monday tied with teammate Rick Porcello for the second-highest rate of pitches thrown while ahead in the count of any full-time starter (34.8 percent). Sale's not only getting ahead; he's capitalized by recording 135 outs while being ahead, too -- second only to Max Scherzer in the Major Leagues. When Sale gets rolling with early strikes, it's a treacherous uphill climb for hitters.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME

• Sandy Leon, who always starts behind the plate when Sale pitches, has struggled offensively in June, posting a .214/.303/.250 slash line with just one extra-base hit.

• Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer have both had their share of success against Sale, who they are familiar with from his years in the American League Central. Cain is a .346 hitter lifetime against him with three homers and eight RBIs, while Hosmer is at .376 with three homers and seven RBIs.

• Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia isn't expected to play Tuesday, as he recovers from getting plunked in the left lat/rib cage area in Sunday night's game against the Astros.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170619237464366/after-tough-luck-loss-sale-takes-on-royals/?game_pk=491157

[Muggah]

Johnny Peralta?

[Bill-806]

Johnny Peralta?

  I hope not !!  He is not the answer.....

[Bear]

Red Sox in KC Game 2:

Betts RF,
Young LF,
Bogaerts SS,
Ramirez DH,
Bradley Jr. CF,
Travis 1B,
Rutledge 2B,
Leon C,
Marrero 3B,

Sale LHP.

[Bear]

If Panda plays another game at the major league level, it will make 162 games....and it only
took him 3 yrs to complete what is considered a complete season.
I haven't figured out how much money he's earned in three years. :'(

[Muggah]

Johnny Peralta?

  I hope not !!  He is not the answer.....

If a deal can be reached with Peralta's agent, there's a good chance we may see him at 3B by the weekend.

[Schloicka]

I have no problem with the defense of Marrero, Rutledge and Leon but as hitters the lineup is a 1/3 short tonight with them at the bottom of the lineup. Unfortunately there isn't much else that can be done without some new players. Marrero and Rutledge are fine as once or twice a week players but are really hampering the lineup when both are in there. As far as catching goes in doesn't really matter who's in there as neither is a very good hitter.  Hopefully some guys will step up.

[Schloicka]

Marrero doubles. Betts drives him in then Young, Xman and Hanley leave Betts stranded at 2nd. 1-1 is the score.

[Schloicka]

Bottom of the order doing well this inning. 5-1 Sox now.

[markj]

Wow, 8-1 now. Very nice indeed. Sale is cruising.

[Schloicka]

Oops. 8-3 now.

[markj]

Oops, indeed. Still, more than enough cushion. Just finish it.

[Schloicka]

Calm down Sale. Nice to see the fire but no need to have a coronary.

[markj]

Yanks lose again. 7 in a row. Sox can take sole ownership of 1st tonight.

[markj]

Sweet. Good win. 1st place. Me likey.