Texas defeats the Royals 4-3 to take another game off their magic number. One of the Royals runs, however came on a Yuniesky Betancourt home run. My question is simple. In the year of the pitcher, how does Betancourt hit 15 home runs? That’s more than his previous two seasons combined. It’s almost 1/3 of his career total. Given Yuniesky’s inability to walk, why is anyone throwing him a phat pitch? Somehow, Betancourt’s home run total seems less likey than Jose Bautista‘s.

The Royals win a wild game with Texas 10-9, breaking the tie in the bottom of the ninth on an unusual play. Alexi Ogando came in to face Yuniesky Betancourt with men on first and third and two out. Ogando did not try to throw a strike to Betancourt, who has walked 12 times this season in over 450 plate appearances. Betancourt took the first three pitches, and pitch four was in the dirt. Yuniesky didn’t swing at that one either, and Willie Bloomquist scored from third on the wild pitch. Intersetingly, Betancourt never went to first base, even though he’s credited with a walk.

Listening to the broadcast, it really appears Betancourt used his lack of walks against the Rangers. He didn’t go for pitches he might in a normal situation, and got the Rangers in a hole. Every once in a while it’s good to go against type.

Cliff Lee made another poor start, giving up seven runs, four earned, in 4 2/3 innings. Again, his walks and strikeouts were great (0/5), but then hits got through on the 20 balls in play, including one home run.