04.13.1969 – DOUBLEHEADER
SP:
KC – B. Miller (0-1 3.38)
OAK – C. Dobson (0-1 5.14)
Game #005 @ Oakland L 12-8
WP – C. Dobson (1-1) LP – G. Cisco (0-1)
The Royals offense finally awakened from its slumber. Well one person did, as evidenced by
Ed Kirkpatrick’s five rbi. Unfortunately, the KC pitching staff had it’s worst outing of the young season as the Royals went down to their fifth consecutive defeat.
POG – Kansas City’s Ed Kirkpatrick – 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI
“We finally got the offense going,” said Royals pitching coach
Joe Peterson. “Too bad the pitching took the game off. Actually, I thought the A’s did a good job of making our pitchers work. It seemed like every time I looked up the count was 2-0 or 3-1. We’ll shake ourselves off and try again.”
“Nobody likes to start out zero for five,” replied owner
Ewing Kauffman. “But we’ve got a long way to go. There’s plenty of time to get things going and I’ve got every confidence in our coaching staff, front office and players. We’ll be alright.”
SP:
KC – M. Hedlund (0-1 2.57)
OAK – B. Odom (0-0 1.13)
Game #006 @ Oakland L 4-1
WP – E. Sprague (2-0) LP – G. Cisco (0-2) SV – P. Lindblad (2)
Apparently the eight run outburst in the first game exhausted the Kansas City supply of runs as the A’s swept the doubleheader. The pitching rebounded, but again the lack of run support is costly as the Royals lose their sixth straight game. The lone bright spot for KC in this game is
Joe Foy, who goes 2 for 3 and collects 3 stolen bases while scoring their lone run.
POG – Oakland’s Blue Moon Odom – 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 106 pitches
For the second time in as many days, a disturbance was heard behind closed clubhouse doors. Nobody in the Royals organization is talking about it, but some reporters are under the impression that KC manager
Carlos Ramirez could already be losing control of his team.
Other American League Results
Orioles 6 vs
Senators 4 (game 1)
WP – M. Cuellar (1-0)
LP – J. Hannan (0-1)
HR –
WAS: M. Epstein (3), K. McMullen (2)
BAL: C. Salmon (1)
Senators 5 @
Orioles 2 (game 2)
WP – J. Coleman (1-1)
LP – J. Palmer (0-2)
SV – D. Knowles (1)
HR –
WAS: M. Epstein (4)
Yankees 4 @ Tigers 1
WP – S. Bahnsen (1-0)
LP – D. McLain (1-1)
SV – L. McDaniel (1)
Mariners 7 vs White Sox 2
WP – S. Blass (1-1)
LP – G. Peters (1-1)
HR – CHI: E. Herrmann (1)
Red Sox 10 @
Indians 5
WP – R. Culp (1-0)
LP – S. McDowell (0-2)
HR –
BOS: B. Conigliaro (1)
CLE: B. Alyea (2), L. Maye (1)
Angels 4 vs
Twins 3
WP – A. Messersmith (2-0)
LP – R.Perranoski (0-1)
National League Results
Braves 6 vs
Reds 0 (game 1)
WP – P. Niekro (1-0)
LP – G. Arrigo (0-1)
HR –
ATL: C. Boyer (3)
Braves 7 vs
Reds 6
WP – C. Upshaw (2-1)
LP – C. Carroll (0-1)
HR –
CIN: A Johnson 2(2)
ATL: C. Boyer (4), R. Carty (2)
Phillies 9 @
Pirates 2
WP – G. Jackson (2-0)
LP – B. Moose (0-2)
HR –
PHI: D. Allen (3), G. Jackson (1)
Cardinals 5 @
Mets 1
WP – B. Gibson (2-0)
LP – N. Ryan (0-2)
HR –
NY: E. Kranepool (3)
Dodgers 5 @
Astros 2 (10 inn)
WP – R. Lamb (2-0)
LP – D. Womack (0-1)
Cubs 2 vs
Expos 0
WP – F. Jenkins (1-1)
LP – P. Dobson (1-1)
HR –
CHI: J. Hickman (2)
Padres 3 vs
Giants 2 (10 inn)
WP – D. Roberts (1-0)
LP – F. Linzy (1-2)
INJURY NEWS
Montreal Expos – Rusty Staub – bruised wrist – 1 week
***My thoughts so far***
It’s been a rough start for the expansion Royals as they went winless in their first week. Guess the only way to go is up at this point. 
Offensively, it’s been pretty bad. Only 3 regulars are hitting above .240, Ed Kirkpatrick (.304), Lou Piniella (.348), and Tom Tresh (.304). A team batting average of .219 is the worst in the AL and only the Pittsburgh Pirates (.204) have a poorer team average.
Pitching-wise, the Royals have been among the worst also, as they have the fourth highest team ERA (4.86) in the AL. The main culprits of this, however, have been the middle relievers. Four of the five starters have thrown fairly well, with the only exception being Bill Butler’s horrible outing at Oakland.