Game 5: Tom Milone Dazzles as Oakland Athletics Defeat Kansas City Royals, 1-0

Round 1 of the Gio Gonzalez vs. Tom Milone comparison goes to Milone. Using all of his pitches effectively, Milone held the Royals' lineup to a mere three hits in eight innings, and the A's made a Josh Donaldson RBI single stand up, winning 1-0.

Milone, who also walked three, out-dueled Royals pitcher Luis Mendoza, whose only miscue was a two-out single to Donaldson that scored Seth Smith for the game's only run. Grant Balfour pitched the ninth inning for his second save in as many chances.

The Royals' best chance may have been in the first inning when after a leadoff double, Jason Bourgeois was gunned down at third base on a great throw by A's right fielder Josh Reddick after a fly ball by Lorenzo Cain. No Kansas City runner would reach third base the remainder of the game.

Meanwhile, the A's offense was hardly potent either. However, they out hit the Royals seven to three and had a great opportunity with the bases loaded in the sixth. But Donaldson was struck out by Royals reliever Tim Collins to end the threat. 

Good

Tom Milone. He was fantastic tonight. Although he benefited from a couple of good defensive plays, most of the game was controlled by his command of the zone and his mixes of pitches kept the Royal lineup off balance. Starts like this will have the fans of the green and gold saying, "Gio Who?"

Bad

The attendance. The announced figure was 10,054, I doubt it was that big. It's Game 5, Oakland! C'mon, you're better than that!

Ugly

None. Even though the hitting was stymied, a win is indeed a win.

Game 2 of the series is a matchup between the A's Graham Godfrey and the Royals' Danny Duffy Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. PT.