(Sports Network) - Jeremy Guthrie tries to win his first game as a member of
the Kansas City Royals this evening when they conclude a three-game set with
the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Guthrie was awful for the Colorado Rockies this season, posting a 3-9 mark and
a 6.35 ERA that led to him being dealt to Kansas City for the equally
ineffective Jonathan Sanchez. However, things haven't gotten any better for
Guthrie, who has lost all three of his starts with the Royals and has allowed
14 runs in 16 1/3 innings in doing so.
His latest loss came on Friday against the Texas Rangers, as he allowed three
runs and six hits in six innings.
"I thought Jeremy Guthrie pitched by far the best game he's pitched since he's
been here," Royals manager Ned Yost said after that contest. "You can see him
starting to get on track. The velocity on his fastball's now up to 95 miles
per hour. (He's) executing pitches, keeping it down."
Guthrie has faced the White Sox 12 times (10 starts) and is 3-5 with a 4.52
ERA.
Chicago will counter with lefty Jose Quintana, who has won his last three
decisions, but has not received a decision in any of his last four starts.
Quintana hasn't pitched since July 30 when he was lucky not to get a decision
in a loss to the Minnesota Twins, who reached him for six runs (4 earned) in
seven innings.
It was just the club's fourth loss in the 12 games that Quintana has started.
He is 4-1 on the year with a 2.80 ERA and has not lost since turning in a
quality start in a June 6 defeat against the Blue Jays.
After losing the opener of this series on Monday, Kansas City bounced back on
Tuesday, as Jeff Francoeur started a seventh-inning rally that snowballed into
four unanswered runs after Billy Butler's career-best 22nd home run in the
eighth, helping the Royals take a 5-2 win.
Butler was 2-for-4 with a long two-run shot that punctuated a late offensive
onslaught for the Royals, who have won two of three. The Royals managed just
one run and two hits through six frames before registering four consecutive
singles in the go-ahead seventh.
"The last couple of days we have played with a renewed energy, a renewed
vision and I am pleased with where we're at right now," Royals manager Ned
Yost said.
Bruce Chen (8-9) won for the first time since June 26, scattering just two
runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk in 6 2/3 frames. Greg
Holland pitched a clean ninth frame for his second save.
Jake Peavy (9-8) was the hard-luck loser, cruising before falling into trouble
in the seventh. The right-hander gave up three runs on seven hits with four
strikeouts and three walks over 6 2/3 frames. Alex Rios finished 2-for-4 and
Gordon Beckham hit his 11th home run of the season in defeat.
"He deserved better," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said about Peavy. "Chen
just kept us off balance. I think we had chances, but he just found a way to
get out of it."
Chicago has split its eight games against the Royals this season.
The Sports Network