They keep pounding away. Other than Mac Suzuki, Reichert is the only Royals starter who has pitched effectively. In three starts, he has given up eight runs in 18 1-3 innings. Jason Grimsley, who has yielded only three hits in 10 2-3 scoreless innings this year worked a perfect eighth for the Royals to set up Hernandez. Hernandez, who has given up nine runs and 13 hits in 5 1-3 innings, put two runners on with one out before picking up his third save.
Pitchers tend to go through slumps, just like hitters do.
I've just been barely missing with a lot of my pitches. Kansas City manager Tony Muser was asked about his thoughts on the Twins' ninth-inning threat. Nothing we haven't seen before. But Muser praised his embattled closer. He didn't try to overthrow it.