Royals at Indians (game V)

Royals get the chance to complete a quick 2-game set against the Cleveland Indians by sending Gil Meche to the mound. The Indians counter by sending young lefty Aaron Laffey to the mound.

Box Score

Gil Meche had his best outing of the year, he threw 7 shutout innings and earned his second win of the season by defeating the Indians and Laffey 2-0. Nunez pitched a perfect 8th and Soria pitched a perfect 9th, notching his 8th save in 8 chances.

Laffey pitched a great game himself, matching zero's with Meche before an error lead to a run in the 5th. The Royals added one more in the 9th when Olivo added his 4th home run of the season.

Royals at Indians (game IV)

This is going to be the last series that I'm going to do game previews and reviews for. I just don't have the time to give daily updates, and it is keeping me from writing more opinionated pieces that blogs should be used for. Instead I'm going to post a weekly preview which will run down the week's match-ups. I will still do the series Recaps for now, and hopefully with school ending in a couple of weeks I can get some fun stuff written.

Luke Hochevar (1-1, 5.91 ERA) get's the start in this one after the first game was postponed due to rain. He will be facing off against big lefty C.C. Sebathia (1-4, 7.87 ERA). Sebathia got his only win of the season against the Royals when he beat them 15-1 on April 22nd.

Box Score

Luke Hochevar had his second straight solid start going 6 innings allowing only 2 runs. Sabathia was also throwing a good game until the Royals strung together 6 hits in the 7th scoring 4 runs. Mahey, Ramirez and Soria closed out the game with Soria getting his 7th save.

Royals at Rangers (game III)

Zack Greinke (3-0, 1.25 ERA) looks to carry the Royals to their second straight series win tonight when he faces off against Sidney Ponson (0-0, 1.69 ERA). Ponson has only made one previous start this year, he went 5.1 innings allowing 1 ER. Ponson however, has had a rough couple of years with a 5.24 ERA in '06 and a 6.93 ERA last year. What does that mean you ask? It means the Royals will probably make Ponson into Cy Young...I hope I'm wrong however, because Ponson is very hittable.

Box Score

This is one of those games where you are just kind of sick to your stomach afterwards. Greinke pitched 7 really good innings against the Rangers allowing only 2 solo shots while striking out a season high nine. Sidney freakin' Ponson however, "out pitched" Greinke throwing 8 innings of 1 run ball.

This is getting frustrating, what is it going to take for the hitters to wake up? They can't really be this bad can they? This is already the 10th time they have scored fewer then 2 runs in a game. Their record in those 10 games you ask...1-9. Now the Royals have lost 2-3 to the worst team in the league and now head to Cleveland to face a team that swept them in their last meeting.

Royals at Rangers (game II)

In game two we see tough luck pitcher Brian Bannister (3-2, 2.48 ERA) going for the Royals and for the Rangers ace Kevin Millwood (1-2, 3.32 ERA). Kevin Millwood has been ok against the Royals in the past going 4-3 with a 4.66 ERA. Bannister has one start vs. the Rangers and pitched 7 shut out innings in earning the win.

Some players who have done well is Millwood and would be worth watching is Buck (5-10, 5 RBI), Grudz (11-35, 3 RBI), Teahen (7-20, 1 HR, 4 RBI), and Guillen (9-23, 1 HR, 7 RBI). Gload should sit, he is 1-10 career against Millwood.

Box Score

Brian Bannister had a rough night as he got rocked for 7 runs in just 3 innings, his shortest outing of the year. Bannister just couldn't keep the ball in the park on a windy night in Texas as he gave up a 2-run shot in the first to Bradley, a solo shot to Boggs in the 2nd, and to cap it off a grand slam to Hamilton-also in the 2nd. The bullpen, which has thrown a lot of innings lately, wasn't in top form as Peralta and Yabuta each gave up a couple of runs in their 5 innings of work.

Millwood held the Royals in check early, allowing only 1 run in his first 6 innings. The bats finally woke up in the 7th however, and scored 5 runs in knocking Millwood from the game. Batting third for the first time this year, DeJesus had another big RBI game driving in 3, including a 2-run shot in the 5th.

In the 9th with the Royals down 4 runs they put together a comeback bid. Butler doubled leading off, and Buck got him home with his 2nd home run of the year. Then Pena came to the plate with one out and quickly popped out, Gathright followed and bunted back to the pitcher for the final out.

I gotta wonder why Hillman didn't go to his bench to pinch hit for Pena and Gathright, but I guess that's why Hillman is the manager and I'm not.

Royals at Rangers (game I)

The Royals head to Arlington to face the Rangers in a three game set. Brett Tomko (1-3, 5.25 ERA) is coming off his worst start of the year when he allowed 6 ER's against the Indians. Going for the Rangers is Jason Jennings (0-4, 7.46 ERA).

Box Score

With Tomko Vs. Jennings, I don't think anyone expected a pitching duel, and we weren't disappointed as both teams scored early and often. Tomko lasted just 3.1 innings giving up 7 hits and 5 runs, perhaps more amazing he threw 89 pitches. Jennings was even worse leaving with an "injury" after just 2 innings; he allowed 8 hits and 5 runs.

The bullpens for both teams did well and held down the scoring. The Royals used Mahey, Gobble, Ramirez, and Soria as they combined for 5.2 scoreless innings. The Rangers used Feldman, Wright, Benoit, and Francisco as they allowed 4 runs in 7 innings.

The offense for the Royals was the story Tuesday night as they scored a season high 9 runs on 14 hits. Jose Guillen, for one night at least, was the player we thought we signed as he had 5 RBI and hit his 3rd home run. Grudzielanek, playing his first game in 6 days, was red hot as he went 4-6 with 3 doubles and 3 runs scored. Gordon, Teahen, and Butler each had 2 hits a piece.

Royals host Blue Jays (game III)

Gil Meche (1-3, 8.00 ERA) looks to get right today and complete the three game sweep of the Jays. Jesse Litsch (2-1, 6.16 ERA) gets the starts for the Jays as they look to end a 6 game loosing streak.

Box Score

Gil Meche pitched fairly well going 6.2 innings while allowing 3 runs on 9 hits, he took the loss, mostly based on our wiffle ball offense. Peralta pitched 1.2 innings allowing 2 ER and raising his ERA to 6.00 since his recall from Omaha. Gobble recorded two outs to end the game keeping his ERA at 0.00.

The Royals bats, like most nights, made an average pitcher like Litsch look like Cy Young himself. The Royals only managed to score 2 runs on 6 hits despite 3 errors from the Blue Jays. David DeJesus had both RBI's as he hit a single in the 3rd scoring Ross Gload and Tony Pena. That was it for the offense as the Royals lost 5-2.

Royals host Blue Jays (game II)

The Royals take on the Blue Jays with a chance to win their first series since taking 2 of 3 from the Yankees on their last homestand. Luke Hochevar (0-1, 11.57 ERA) gets his second start of the season, Hochevar is still looking for his first career win. Going for the Blue Jays is Kansas City native Shaun Marcum (2-1, 3.42 ERA).

Box Score

Luke Hochevar was in and out of trouble all night but picked up his first career win tonight by beating the Jays 2-1. Hochevar allowed 6 hits in 6 innings of work while cutting his ERA in half...more importantly the Royals won their first series since April 10th-12th when they took the series from the Yankees.

Mahey took over for Hochever in the 7th pitching a scoreless inning before Nunez took over in the 8th. Nunez walked Rios to lead off the inning and was replaced by Ramirez with runners on first and second-Ramirez got out of the jam. Soria pitched the 9th and recorded his 6th save in 6 chances.

The offense as normal barely showed up. Teahen lead off the 5th with a double and Gload drove him in with a one out single. The Royals took the lead for good with a 6th inning home run from Guillen, his second of the year.

Royals host Blue Jays (game I)

The Royals, after suffering their second consecutive sweep, look to Zack Greinke (3-0, 1.24 ERA) to stop the bleeding. Getting the ball for Toronto is right hander A.J. Burnett (2-1, 6.58 ERA) as he tries to end the Jays 4 game slide.

Box Score

It's finally over, the seven game losing streak came to an end as Greinke pitched 7 innings of 1 run ball. The thing is the Royal's bats, again struggled early, and the Royals were clinging to a 1 run lead when Greinke exited. Leo Nunez started the 8th and the Jays wasted little time in tying the game, eventually overtook, and extended their lead 4-1.

Then it happened, the bats finally stepped up and won a game. The Royals batted around and some, scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the eighth; the 6 runs were the most the Royals had scored in any game thus far. Soria came in to finish the game and pitched a perfect 9th as the Royals won 8-4.

Royals host Indians (game II & III)

Let's play two. The Royals and Indians are looking to squeeze two games in today as heavy rain forced the cancellation of last night's contest. The pitching match-ups will be carried over so in game one Brett Tomko (1-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. Fausto Carmona (2-1, 1.96 ERA) in a 5:10 start. The second game will feature Brian Bannister (3-1, 2.42 ERA) against Cliff Lee (3-0, .040 ERA)

Game 1 Box Score

Brett Tomko was hit around hard in his 4 innings, allowing 6 earned runs on 11 hits. Yabuta relieved Tomko and, as usual, gave up 2 runs in his 2.2 innings of work; Ramirez finished the game out by pitching 2.1 scoreless innings.

The Royals bats came up short, but made some positives strides after their week-long slumber scoring 6 runs on 14 hits. DeJesus hit his first home run of the year and is now hitting .429. Olivo, starting for Buck, was 3-4 with his 3rd home run.

Just for the record that is now 6 loses in a row, yet if the Royals can manage a win in game 2 we will still be tied for second in the division.

Game 2 Box Score

Brian Bannister deserved better as he pitched 6.2 innings allowing only 2 runs, the thing is Cliff Lee pitched a complete game 3-hitter, and Bannister picked up his second loss of the season. That about sums it up. The Royals got pretty solid pitching, but again the bats were silent as the Royals picked up their 7th straight loss and are now in last place in the division.

Royals host Indians (game II)

The Royals are looking to stop the bleeding tonight by sending Brett Tomko (1-3, 3.60 ERA) to the mound. Tomko has pitched fairly well so far this year and we desperately need him to step up. For the Royals sad offense it doesn't get any easier as Cleveland sends Fausto Carmono (2-1, 1.96 ERA) to the hill.

Update: The game was postponed due to rain. A double header is scheduled for tomorrow.

Royals host Indians (game I)

The Royals are back home and are looking to put behind them a road trip that saw them go 2-5 and fall to second in the division. Gil Meche (1-2, 6.08 ERA) looks to build on his first win and end the Royals 4 game slide against a struggling Cleveland team. C.C. Sabathia (0-3, 13.50 ERA) gets the start for the tribe and has struggled badly this season; some even wonder about arm trouble for the reigning Cy Young winner.

Box Score

Is there a team you would rather face if you were a struggling starting pitcher? C.C. Sabathia doesn't think so, as he got right tonight throwing 6 scoreless innings while striking out 11. Gil Meche, now 2-7 with a 6.10 ERA in his career against the Indians, struggled early and often allowing 8 runs on 9 hits in 3.1 innings. The bullpen, so good early, is getting hit around as well-5.2 innings allowing 5 runs.

The Royals offense continues to be an embarrassment to Kansas City as they managed only 1 run on 6 hits while managing 13 strike-outs. Teahen, who had 3 of those K's managed an RBI single in the 8th to break the shut out. The Indians on the other hand had no problems scoring, they failed to score in only the 1st, 6th and 9th innings. Taking a look at their box score and you would think it was a spring training game as 13 players got to take batting practice against the Royals.

Personally, I think the Royals pitching is trying to be to perfect to overcome the dead weight of the offense, and they are starting to get hit around because of it. The offense needs to step it up, they need to get some extra base hits and they need to stop making outs on the base paths. The defense has been no help as of late either as Teahen mis-played another ball in left and Gordon had an error.

Royals at A's (game III)

The Royals look to avoid the sweep today against the A's as Luke Hochevar (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets his first start of the season; taking the ball for the A's is Dana Eveland (1-1, 2.00 ERA). This is the second time this season the Royals have faced a three game sweep, last time Brett Tomko stepped up against the Twins, and the Royals avoided the sweep in Minnesota.

Box Score

Luke Hochevar looked sharp...for his first 3 innings and the Royals were out to a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, the suddenly red hot Oakland offense, scored 5 runs with 2 outs. Hochevar tried coming back for the 5th but allowed another run in 2/3 of an inning and was replaced with Mahey. Hochevars line for the game was 4.2 IP, 6 runs on 9 hits with 3 BB and 5 SO's.

The Royals offense was, well, terrible. The Royals had a season low 3 hits and only scored the 1 run in the 3rd inning. Not much else to say about it really, was pretty boring.

The Royals finished the road-trip 2-5 and are now 2.5 games back from the White Sox.

Royals at A's (game II)

The Royals play the middle game of the series today in a 3:05 start as Zack Greinke (3-0, 0.75 ERA) looks to end the Royals 2-game losing streak. Rookie Greg Smith (1-0, 2.08 ERA) will take the mound for the swingin' A's.

Box Score

Zack Greinke and the Royals were off to a quick start running out to a 4-0 lead after 4 innings, then the wheels feel off. In the bottom of the 5th Greinke got into trouble giving up a lead off double to Barton followed by a walk, followed by a 1 out RBI single by former Royal Emil Brown. Ryan Sweeney then hit a double play ball to Pena at short; Pena quickly booted the ball and all parties were safe.

Ramirez took over in the 6th and surrendered the tying run in his inning of work. Peralta followed and allowed 2 runs in .1 of an inning and was rescued by Gobble. Yabuta pitched a perfect 9th.

There were some positives on offense as Guillen homered for the first time all season, a three run shot in the 1st, and Olivo connected on his second of the year in the 2nd. Then, as usual, the offense went into a prolonged slump at the plate not scoring again until the 9th.

Royals at A's (game I)

The Royals conclude their 7 game road trip in Oakland where they will be reunited with former Royals Mike Sweeney, Emil Brown and Donnie Murhpy. Brian Bannister(3-0, .086 ERA) will be taking the mound for the Royals and looking for his 4th straight win. Chad Gaudin(0-1, 7.20 ERA) will be making his second start of the year for Oakland, he was knocked around in his last start against Toronto.

Box Score

It had to happen eventually, Brian Bannister finally had a bad outing. Bannister was cruising through 5 innings giving up only 1 run, but something was missing, and that was Bannisters control. While he only walked 1 batter he was all over the place, usually in the middle of the plate, and that caught up to him in the 6th as he allowed 4 runs and recorded no outs.

Mahey and Peralta came in and stopped the bleeding pitching 2 innings allowing no earned runs...Then it happened, the two headed Japanese monster known as Yabunomo came in and suddenly the swinging A's were back in business. Yabuta started the 8th but allowed 5 runs to score on only 1 hit, then Nomo came in to clean up and get the final out except that he allowed 3 runs to score first. Just in case you were wondering Yabuta's ERA is 10.13 and Nomo's is 18.69.

The Royals offense was just as terrible as Yabunomo. The only managed to score 2 runs on 4 hits and nobody had more than 1 hit. Billy Butler ended what could have been a promising inning by running into yet another out at second base in the third.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Nomo just doesn't have it and I would guess by Sunday Nomo is no longer on the Royals roster and we see one of Hochevar, Davies, or De La Rosa.

Royals at Angels (game II)

The Royals conclude their quick two game set against the the Angels tonight in a 9:05 start. Brett Tomko (1-1, 2.08 ERA) looks to continue his early success this season by facing Jon Garland (1-2, 5.50 ERA). Garland has been especially tough in his career against the Royals compiling a 16-6 record with a 3.54 ERA.

Update: David DeJesus left the game in the fourth with a stubbed toe. Apparently he injured the toe by crashing into the wall during pre-game batting practice.

Box Score

Well Jon Garland did what he does best and beat the Royals 5-3 to improve to 17-6 all time against the Royals. Brett Tomko did a decent job throwing 7 innings but giving up 5 runs on only 6 hits. Garret Anderson did most of the damage with a bases loaded double scoring 3 runs.

The Royals offense was again...well...the Royals offense. It "mashed" 11 hits but could only score 3 runs-about average for our boys. It really is a shame to waste all this good pitching we are getting.

Royals at Angels (game I)

The Royals continue their West coast trip in Anaheim as they face the Angles in a 9:05 start. Gil Meche (0-2, 7.13 ERA) looks to get on track for the Royals and Jared Weaver (1-2, 3.79 ERA) gets the start for the Angels.

Box Score

Gil Meche finally earns his first win of the year with a 3-2 victory over the Angels. Meche didn't pitch especially well, but much like last year he fought through some rough innings and kept the team in the game; he also lowered his ERA to 6.08. The bullpen pitched amazing again throwing three scoreless innings in preserving the win.

The offense-what can I say? It's nice winning so it's hard to complain but boy they sure can't score many runs can they? They racked up 13 hits but only 2 extra base hits and only managed to score in the first and second innings. Gathright had 3 hits but was picked off first and thrown out at third on a steal attempt. Teahen broke his mini slump getting three hits as each regular got at least 1 hit, well except Gload and Pena.

Royals at Mariners (game II)

The Royals wrap up their brief two game set against the Mariners today in an unusual 5:40 start. John Bale (0-2, 5.84 ERA) gets the ball for the Royals and ex-Royal Miguel Batista (0-2, 6.00 ERA) will start for Seattle.

Today is the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, always an important event. Trey Hillman, Jose Guillen, and Joey Gathright will be sporting the retired number 42 in honor of Robinson.

Box Score

The Royals are now 1 for 3 in closing out sweeps as the Mariners were all over John Bale scoring 5 runs in his 3 innings of work; Bales ERA now stands at 7.63 after three starts. The bullpen, who had 2 days of rest got a work out, Nomo, Mahey, Yabuta, Gobble, and Soria pitched 6 innings allowing 6 runs (4 by Nomo, 1 a piece for Mahey and Yabuta.

The Royals offense scored a season high 6 runs but the pitching also gave up a season high 11 runs-tough luck for the boys with bats. DeJesus and Pena had 2 hits and Grudz picked up 3 on the night. Billy Butlers hitting streak ended at 13 games.

Royals at Mariners (game I)

The Royals begin their second road trip of the year by heading out west to face the Seattle Mariners in a 9:10 start. Zack Greinke (2-0, .060 ERA) looks to continue his hot start as he faces off against Jared Washburn (1-1, 3.00 ERA).

Update: DeJesus, out since game 1 against Detroit makes his return to the line-up tonight.

Box Score

Zack Greinke pitched another gem of a game, this time a complete game in which he allowed only 1 run on 5 hits. Greinke needed 107 pitches to mow down a Seattle team that has been struggling offensively, the only run scored on a Ichiro fielders choice. Washburn on the other hand struggled against the right handed bats of the Royals in allowing 3 runs in 6 innings.

The offense got off to a strong start in the second when Billy Butler extended his hitting streak to 13 by connecting for his first home run of the season, that was followed by a double from Guillen and an eventual Olivo home-run, also his first. The Royals added single runs in the 7th and 8th.

Royals host Twins (game VI)

So for the second Time in two meetings the Twins are going for the sweep of the Royals. The first time around Tomko stepped up and the Royals salvaged the series, this time Brian Bannister (2-0, 1.50 ERA) looks to step up. Making his first start since 2006 is Francisco Lirano (0-0, 0.00 ERA); The Twins are expecting big things from Lirano but he will no doubt be on a pitch count today.

Box Score

Brian Bannister continues his amazing start throwing the Royals first complete game of the season giving up 0 ER on 3 hits. Lirano for the Twins was a little wild as expected allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and had 5 Walks.

The Royals on offense finally broke the 26 inning scoreless streak in the first when Gathright beat out an infield single, later in the inning Butler got him home on a 2-out single extending his hitting streak to 12. Gordon had a good game hitting his 3rd home run, he also added a double and a walk

Hillman, looking to break the hitting slump put out his third different line-up in the last three days, this time inserting Olivo at DH, Butler at 1st and giving Grudz the day off while German started at 2nd.

Royals Host Twins (game V)

The Royals face the Twins tonight on Butler powder blue jersey night. On the mound for the Royals is Brett Tomko (1-0, 1.29 ERA), and pitching for the Twins is Boof Bonser (0-2, 4.15 ERA). The Royals offense has been pretty terrible the last couple of days, can they snap out of it?

Box Score

Brett Tomko did his best and took an undeserved loss on the return of the powder blue jerseys; he pitched 6 innings and only allowed 2 ER on a very cold and miserable night. The bullpen did it's normal thing pitching 3 scoreless innings.

Now to the Royals offense...I wish I had the words. I posted in an earlier blog how I feared that the Royals were going to hit a rough(er) patch offensively because it seemed that through out the first 9 games or so they were completely dependent on the clutch 2-out hit, well it happened as the Royals extended their scoreless streak to 26 innings.

This was the first game I got to attend and boy was it hectic as the first 20,000 received Billy Butler powder blue jerseys. The gates opened at 4 pm and I got there 20 till and the lines were past arrowhead stadium, it was a mad house. As far as the new jerseys on the players, I just have to wonder...why not powder blue pants?