Royals’ Duffy struggles in loss
ARLINGTON, Texas — The vanishing act occurred in two stages. First the 97th and final pitch of Danny Duffy’s latest meltdown disappeared over the right-field fence, powered by Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre. Duffy disappeared a few moments later, yanked by manager Ned Yost in the fourth inning of a 8-2 loss on Monday night.
Frazzled by the previous night’s marathon, the Royals sought steadiness from Duffy. Instead he combusted for the second game in a row. He displayed little of the composure and confidence that carried him through last season. He operated with little command and matched a career high with six walks. His fastball zipped in the mid-90s, but did not fool the Rangers. Texas tagged him for six runs in 3 2/3 innings.
His margin for mistakes was thin. The Royals (20-12) outlasted both the rain and the Tigers for a 10th-inning victory that ended early Monday morning. Texas starter Colby Lewis silenced them for seven innings. The effort from Duffy rendered the defeat a fait accompli.
The second inning formed the centerpiece of this calamity. Duffy (2-2, 5.67 ERA) walked the first three batters he faced, let the first six men reach base and amassed 48 pitches. His slider and his changeup lacked interest in approaching the strike zone. He let a run score on a wild pitch when he spiked a fastball in the dirt. During a mound conference with catcher Salvador Perez, Duffy appeared sweaty and shaken.
When Duffy lasted only one inning in his last outing, he insisted afterward he felt healthy. Yet the questions about his condition will only increase after Monday. His velocity indicates his arm can execute properly. The quest for the Royals will be discovering why the rest of his body refuses to cooperate.
On the final day in April, Duffy fanned seven Tigers across seven innings of one-run baseball. He looked ascendant, capable of handling the responsibility at the front of a rotation. A starting staff rocked by suspensions and slumps sought a leader. Duffy appeared fit for the role.
His performance in May reminded of his fallibility. His command can dissolve without warning. As he fell apart on Monday, his teammates lacked the energy to bail him out.
Flying through the night from Detroit, the Royals checked into their hotel around 5:45 a.m. The players straggled to the ballpark about nine hours later. Yost cancelled batting practice. The only reliever he knew he could use were Franklin Morales and Yohan Pino. After logging 30 pitches the night before, closer Greg Holland remarked he felt like Muhammad Ali after fighting Larry Holmes.
Duffy possessed no such excuse. He flew to Texas on Saturday night by himself.
"He’s going to get his 100 [pitches]," Yost said. "There’s no way around that."
In the second inning, Duffy required nearly half of that amount. He leaned on his fastball as he issued a leadoff walk to catcher Robinson Chirinos. Outfielder Leonys Martin tried to bunt Chirinos to second, but Duffy walked him on four pitches. Duffy dueled with a 28-year-old rookie named Thomas Field before relenting to walk the bases loaded.
At last, a hitter put a ball in play. It was Delino DeShields, the son of the long-time big leaguer with the same name. He smashed a full-count fastball for a two-run double.
When Shin-Soo Choo came up to bat, Duffy lost control of the wild pitch. Another run scored. Choo followed up with a single up the middle for the Rangers’ fourth run. Duffy extended another free pass, this one to shortstop Elvis Andrus, but eventually he did escape the frame.
The end arrived two innings later. Duffy offered Beltre a 92-mph fastball at the belt. Beltre did not decline. Duffy departed the game immediately after, but the concerns about his performance will not fade, at least not for another five days.
This story was originally published May 11, 2015 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Royals’ Duffy struggles in loss."