As Royals starter Brian Bannister struggled to get through the second inning against the Yankees on Tuesday afternoon, it definitely looked as if the bullpen would be in heavy use.
Lefty Ron Mahay even warmed up in the second. But he had no idea when or whether he was coming in.
“No, we don’t think like that,” Mahay said.
Bannister gave up only two runs in the second but came out of the game after five innings. The Royals bullpen again finished the job in impressive fashion in a 5-2 victory. With a scoreless showing Tuesday, the Royals bullpen has surrendered only two runs in 20 innings this season.
Tuesday’s closing effort started with Mahay, who gave up two hits and a walk in a 1 1/3 innings. Ramon Ramirez, Leo Nuñez and Joakim Soria threw the last 2 2/3 innings and didn’t allow a hit or walk.
Pounding the strike zones has been one of the keys for the Royals’ bullpen thus far.
“That’s the key, you’ve got to throw strike one whether you work on it in spring training or do it here,” Mahay said. “That’s the main key. Throw strike one and get ahead.”
So far, no matter what inning Royals manager Trey Hillman has brought in a reliever, he has gotten results.
“Those guys have done a very good job,” Hillman said.
Soria has been automatic in the closer role, picking up his fourth save in four tries. He didn’t strike out the side to end the game as he did Sunday against the Twins. Soria got two fly-outs and a grounder to end the game.
“Not every day you get three strikeouts. I just keep working hard to get the guys out,” Soria said.
Nuñez was just as good in the setup role in the eighth, retiring the Yankees in order, including the last two hitters on strikeouts. He now has four scoreless outings this season.
“That’s something we want to do,” he said. “Instead of nibbling, we are throwing strikes.”
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