James Shields Quiets The Colorado Rockies Bats In A Royals Victory

May 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It was one of those rare nights where the Colorado Rockies offense was stagnant, collecting just five hits and one run in a 5-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. One reason why is Royals starter James Shields. He kept the Rockies hitters off-balance all night, not allowing them to get ahead in the count.

Rockies starter Franklin Morales had a hiccup early on in the bottom half of the second inning as he walked Alex Gordon to lead off the inning. He however would get Danny Valencia to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to limit the damage. Johnny Giavotella would collect a two-out single followed by a Lorenzo Cain walk following the double play. Alcides Escobar would make Morales pay with an RBI single to left-center, plating Giavotella to give Kansas City the 1-0 lead.

Colorado’s offense was limited on the night as they scratched their only run in the top half of the fourth inning. Troy Tulowitzki and Nolan Arenado collected singles while Justin Morneau brought Tulowitzki in on an RBI single to right to tie the game up at one apiece.

Morales ran into some trouble in the bottom half of the fourth as Danny Valencia led off the inning with a single to center. Lorenzo Cain would hit a no-doubt shot to left field as if he knew that pitch was coming, which looked like a vintage Torii Hunter home run. Kansas City took the 3-1 lead as Salvador Perez would club a solo homer off of Morales in the bottom half of the fifth to extend the lead to three, 4-1.

The Royals would scratch one more run late in the bottom half of the eight as reliever Nick Masset walked two batters and threw a wild-pitch. Alcides Escobar would ground into a fielder’s choice as Pedro Ciriaco scores to take the 5-1 lead and would end up being the final.

Notable Rockies Hitters:

• Troy Tulowitzki: 1-for-3, BB.
• Nolan Arenado: 2-for-4.
• Justin Morneau: 1-for-3, RBI.

Rockies Pitching:

• Franklin Morales (L, 3-3): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB. 99 pitches, 55 strikes.
• Tommy Kahnle: 2.0 IP, 1 BB.
• Nick Masset: 1.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB.

The Colorado Rockies (23-18) fall to the Kansas City Royals, 5-1. They are back at it tomorrow afternoon looking to split the series with Jhoulys Chacin (0-1, 4.91 ERA) taking the hill. Kansas City will send lefty Jason Vargas (3-1, 3.04 ERA) to counter. First-pitch is scheduled for 2:10 PM ET, 12:10 PM MT.