posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 11:54 PM
by
Jim
Hell-arton
Despite having nothing in his arsenal that resembles tough, Elarton has been that thus far against the Sox.
Despite having two outstanding outings in three starts against the Sox, Elarton remains winless.
He reminds me in a way of Kevin Millwood – a very, very poor man’s Kevin Millwood, both in terms of repertoire and contract status. Millwood allowed five earned runs in 34 innings against the Sox last year, yet went 0-3. Elarton is on pace to better (or worsen) that number thanks to the Royals bats failing him while he’s in the game.
Elarton did have a dud of a start, on
April 19, but the Sox didn’t even hit him well then. He walked five batters and allowed five hits in 4 1/3 innings, yet the Sox could only muster three earned runs off him. Even when they got to him, they didn’t really get to him.
But even factoring in that start with his two excellent outings against the Sox, he’s averaged over six innings a start (18 1/3 total) – and the Royals have scored one of them while he’s been in the ballgame. That came on Esteban German’s RBI single in the seventh inning
tonight – and since he didn’t start the bottom of the seventh, it’s hard to say he was really in the game. He gets credit since he would’ve been in line for the win had Joe Crede not spoiled it in the bottom of the eighth, but it was close.
Otherwise, Reggie Sanders’ homer came in the ninth after he pitched eight innings, and the Royals were shut out in his second start. That I find remarkable – even if he made no mistakes against the Sox, he still wouldn't have a W. Evidently he’s as frustrated in games against the Sox as the Sox are by him.