How Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke looked in return from injury: game recap
The Kansas City Royals entered Thursday hoping to earn a series split in four games against the Detroit Tigers — a series that featured 21 runs in a Tuesday evening thriller alone.
Tigers ace Michael Lorenzen had other plans.
The Tigers’ lone All-Star representative entered with a 3.75 ERA and showcased why he made the All-Star game, picking up his fifth win in the Tigers’ 3-0 victory at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals had just three hits vs. Lorenzen. He stifled KC batters with a mix of three main pitches: his slider, four-seam fastball and changeup. He pitched seven innings on just 89 pitches, striking out three and not allowing any runs.
“He’s got good stuff,” Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel said. “I thought we put some good swings on balls, it just didn’t go our way.”
On the other hand, Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke made the most of a limited return from the 15-day injured list. It was Greinke’s first start since July 4 against the Twins in Minnesota. Royals right-hander Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha upon Grienke’s activation Thursday morning.
Before the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Greinke would face 18-21 batters before exiting as a way to ease him back.
“It’s kind of what we expected,” Quatraro said. “It’s been 15-16 days, so we knew it wasn’t going to be a deep outing. It looked like he struggled a little bit with his command. He was around the zone, which is probably a lower strike percentage than he’s used to. But again, he minimized (damage) with four innings and (giving up) two runs. He gave us a good chance.”
Greinke faced 17 batters, pitching four innings with two runs allowed. He threw 69 pitches, 39 for strikes, and issued one walk. He gave up both his runs in the second inning.
Tigers catcher Eric Haase and second baseman Andy Ibáñez picked up RBI singles in the second, while Ibáñez tripled in the fifth to drive in the third run.
The Royals fell to 28-70.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Jordan Lyles spins gem, but Royals bullpen falters in 3-2 loss
Game 2: Dairon Blanco leads the way in Royals’ 11-10 victory
Game 3: Royals fall short as Lee’s Summit West grad records 16th save
Royals bullpen holds up well
Greinke had a short leash in his return from the injured list, but the KC bullpen kept the Royals in the game with stellar pitching.
The bullpen pitched five innings, with Austin Cox giving up the lone run. The group only surrendered two hits in that span.
Up next: The Royals begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Friday. Alec Marsh will face New York’s Clarke Schmidt in the opener.
