Andujar Pitches Second Consecutive Jem September 13, 1997
Montreal (AP)--Less than a week ago, Luis Andujar pitched a one-hitter with
the help of Dick Collins and Chris Bonner, against one of the league's best
pitchers, Kevin Brown. Andujar's win certainly could have come without a
one-hit performance, considering that the Royals won that game 8-0.
After Thursday's 12-3 win over Deadwood at home, the Hartford Whalers came
back to Montreal to continue the undecided contest. In the first game, Luis
Andujar was up for the start, matched up against, yes, Kevin Brown, for the
second time. Kevin Brown pitched a complete-game 7-hitter, but he couldn't
match Andujar's second consecutive stellar performance.
Unlike his previous start, Andujar was riding the whole game (after the
second period) on a one-run lead. The Whalers managed four hits against the
Royals, but couldn't get anyone home. Hartford's biggest threat to tie the
game was in the fifth, when Velarde reached third on a double into
leftfield, and then a single by Kurt Abbott. But Andujar shut down the next
batter, and the shutout was preserved.
Kevin Brown, meanwhile, was working on a pitching jem--in 8 innings, he let
only 7 Royals get on base (7 hits, 0 BB). But he couldn't get the win, and
he let his record drop below the .500 mark at 11-12. Brown's only mistake
was a curveball that hit the middle of the plate, and DH Spider Mohanan hit
it over the fence for what turned out to be the winning run of the game.
"It was simple as taking advantage of a rare mistake," quoted Monahan after
the game. "When you're facing Kevin Brown, you swing at any pitch that
looks good--because there aren't many. It's a good thing I struck early,
'cause by the end of the game he was thowing fire." In the 8th and 9th
innings, Brown's pitchers were clocked in the mid 90s.
"When Brown has his fastball going, no one get hit him because it makes his
curveballs unhittable," said the Royals' skipper. "Spidey hit it at the
right time."
Since Andujar's last two starts, he has lowered his ERA from 5.31 to 3.95,
now the lowest among Royals starters.
Royals Take Part in Hartford-Deadwood Feud
Montreal Fans may be interested in the outcome of the Royals games for
other reasons--namely in determining who gets the playoff spot in the McCoy
division. Last afternoon's game was the 7th in a row played against either
the Whalers or the Outlaws. They still have six more games to play against
them--two against the Whalers, then a 4-game series against Deadwood.
Royals Faced With Surprising Surplus in Rotation
The Royals may be faced with some inevitable trades in the offseason,
considering that they may have 7 pitchers more than eligible for next
year's rotation. Mike Grace, Santo Skinner, Solomon Torres, Kirk Rueter,
Luis Andujar and Pete Harnisch and prospect Bob Peterman will be fighting
for their place in the rotation unless trades are made. As well, Terry
Mulholland will be given a chance, despite an awful season, going 1-for-8
with a 7.05 ERA in 12 starts. The problem is deciding will go because all
of the pitchers have shown that they deserve to start, especially Luis
Andujar who has been the greatest surprise of late.
Namely, the Royals will be looking for a shortstop or perhaps some power
hitting. They lost a Jeff Bagwell in a trade earlier this year, but getting
another power hitter to hit behind Bobby Bonilla may come at price the
Royals will be unable to afford.
