The unsung heroes of Royals’ 2-1 victory in 12 innings? Check out the glovework
The obvious storyline from a 2-1 win in 12 innings would be that it was a pitchers’ duel.
And the Royals’ 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium was certainly that. The game was scoreless until the 11th inning.
Both starting pitchers shoved — Michael Lorenzen for the Royals and Hunter Dobbins for the visitors. That’s clear from the box score.
But what the box score doesn’t show are the crucial plays made all night by the Royals’ defense en route to the club’s seventh consecutive win.
Lorenzen threw seven shutout innings, striking out seven. And he got plenty of help from those flashing the leather around him.
Veteran outfielder Mark Canha made a sliding grab in foul territory, a play that ended the Boston half of the third. Team captain Salvador Perez, playing first base Friday, nabbed a 110 mph line drive, laying out in a full dive in order to snare a hot Jarren Duran liner that could’ve gone for extra bases.
In a game with limited run support, the Royals still found a way to back their starting pitcher.
“They’re doing it on defense,” Lorenzen said. “We scored two runs tonight, but we saved some runs. That play by Canha was huge, and I know his leg’s probably banged up.
“But he’s putting his body on the line. ... That’s a big deal. Plays like that don’t go unnoticed.”
Defense has been an evident strength for the Royals all season. Going into Friday’s game, they ranked ninth in the majors (fourth in the American League) in defensive runs saved (13). They ranked fourth, and second in the AL, for outs above average, or OAA (7).
At the individual level, Royals top multiple defensive statistical categories. Kyle Isbel ranks third among all centerfielders in defensive runs saved (6); superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. ranks third among shortstops in OAA.
“We need to make sure we acknowledge that side of it,” Lorenzen said, “rather than just look at the offense.”
Royals manager Matt Quatraro sure was complimentary of the KC defense on Friday, noting the added importance of such glovework during tight games.
“That game was a classic pitchers’ duel,” Quatraro said. “You’re going to have to maximize every opportunity to prevent runs. (Isabel) made a couple of nice plays out there ... Salvy with the diving catch.
“You could get a sense runs were going to be hard to come by. You’ve gotta have your defensive senses heightened there.”
