NewsRoyals turn AL record-tying six DPs
Four come in the first four innings, then in seventh, eighth
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
04/30/09 8:49 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- This time, the Royals were on the right side of six double plays.The half-dozen double plays that they pulled off in Thursday's 8-6 victory over the Blue Jays tied an American League record for one game.
"Well, that's an impressive thing to happen," first baseman Billy Butler said. "We tied it earlier this year, didn't we?"
Yes they did, but the other way. On April 21 at Cleveland, the Royals themselves grounded into six double plays in an 8-7 loss to the Indians.
Butler caught the third out on all six DPs, which were turned in the first, second, third and fourth innings -- all to the benefit of starter Kyle Davies -- and in the seventh and eighth innings.
"It's good to be a part of it. We got a lot of ground balls and a lot of big outs, obviously. That's what we needed," Butler said.
Second baseman Alberto Callaspo and shortstop Mike Aviles each took part in four of them, third baseman Mark Teahen one and even Davies started one.
Davies was able to skate out of some trouble with the double plays and notched his second victory.
"It's huge, because you get two outs on one pitch, you're able to stay in the game longer," Davies said. "You get those two quick outs and they never have a chance to get the big inning, and I think that's what helped us to stay on top there. They never had the chance to get the big inning.
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston certainly noticed.
"It's really hard to win a ballgame when you still score six runs and you still hit into six double plays," he said.
His club was the 13th AL club to hit into six DPs. The National League record is seven DPs rapped into by San Francisco at Houston on May 4, 1969.
The Royals have turned six double plays before, the last time coming on May 6, 1972 in Baltimore.
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
