Jason Vargas, Kansas City Royals Sweep Two Game Set With The Colorado Rockies
By Andrew Dill
May 4, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Jason Vargas (51) delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies (23-19) fell victim to yet another solid performance from the Kansas City Royals pitching staff as Jason Vargas kept their hitters off-balance all afternoon as the Rockies fell, 3-2. Vargas didn’t even reach 90 MPH on his fastball but his changeup and breaking ball were his bread and butter. He ended up pitching 6 2/3 innings, giving up five hits, two runs, two earned, one walk and eight strikeouts.
Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin fell victim to lack of command early on as it was just the right-handers third start of the season. He would give up a lead-off single to Salvador Perez as Johnny Givaotella would single two batters later, setting up first and second with one out. Lorenzo Cain followed up with a single of his own to right field as the bases were loaded with one out. Mike Moustakas who was batting .155 prior to that at-bat, doubled to deep right to give the Royals a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
Other than that bad inning, Jhoulys Chacin settled down and gave the Rockies a chance to win. The native of Venezuela pitched six innings, giving up seven hits, three runs, three earned, two walks while striking out one.
Meanwhile in the top half of the fourth inning, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki struck out on a pitch he thought was ball four and had some words with the umpire Dan Bellino. Tulo was shown in the dugout yelling “that’s terrible” as Bellino pursued to toss Tulowitzki out of the game. This was the first time this season that a player or coach from Rockies was ejected in a game.
Colorado would make it interesting late in the game as Nolan Arenado doubled with one out in the top half of the seventh inning. With two outs and a runner on second, Drew Stubbs would send the Jason Vargas offering into the bleachers in left for his third home run of the season as the Rockies brought the score to within one, 3-2 Kansas City.
Greg Holland would come into the ninth inning looking to seal the Royals victory but it wouldn’t come easy. Carlos Gonzalez would scratch a one out single to right followed by a Nolan Arenado walk with one out setting up runners at first and second. Justin Morneau would hit into a fielder’s choice as Arenado was ruled out at second as it was first and third down to their last out. Drew Stubbs, who hit the two-run shot earlier in the game, stuck out to end the ballgame.
Notable Rockies Hitters:
- Carlos Gonzalez: 2-for-4.
- Nolan Arenado: 1-for-3, R, BB.
- Drew Stubbs: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI’s.
Rockies Pitching:
- Jhoulys Chacin (L, 0-2): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO. 97 pitches, 61 strikes.
- Rex Brothers: 1.0 IP, 0 H.
- LaTroy Hawkins: 1.0 IP, 1 H.
The Colorado Rockies (23-19) fall to the Kansas City Royals, 3-2. Colorado is back at home Friday night as the San Diego Padres come to town who will throw lefty Eric Stults (2-3, 5.03 ERA) to the hill. Colorado will counter with their southpaw Jorge De La Rosa (4-3, 4.81 ERA). First-pitch is scheduled for 8:40 PM ET, 6:40 PM MT.