Royals at Twins (game III)

The Royals look to avoid being apart of their second sweep of the season today, this time on the losing end, by sending...(sigh) Brett Tomko to the mound against Boof Bonzer in a 1:10 Start. This will be Tomko's second appearance, his first was on opening day where he pitched 2 innings allowing a game tying run in the eighth; by all accounts he threw the ball well except for the Guillen homer.

Box Score

The Royals salvaged the last game of the series and return to Kansas City with a winning road trip, pretty good way to start the season. Our un-likely hero today was Brett Tomko who pitched 5 innings of 1 run ball, he did throw a lot of pitches but I'll take that trade off in his first start. The bullpen did a fantastic job allowing only 1 run in 4 innings and Soria picked up his 3rd save of the season.

The offense continues it's slow start but did scratch out 3 runs, which today, was good enough. Gordon had the big hit, a 2-run single in the second. Callaspo and Gordon both had a 2-hit game while Butler contributed 3 hits.

Royals Notes: Olivo, Nomo

Nothing ground breaking here, Olivo returned to the 25 man roster after his 4-day suspension to start the season. With his return Matt Tupman was optioned to Omaha and Hideo Nomo's contract was purchased from Idaho Falls; Nomo will work mostly in long relief for the Royals.

Everyone pretty much expected Nomo to be called up once Olivo's suspension was over, and I don't have a big problem with it, it's a good story if it works. I just fail to see how Nomo can really make this bullpen better. He gave up a ton of hits in spring training, but to be fair he also had more K's than innings pitched. That said I guess I'll just wait and see what happens, I'm just not convinced.

Royals at Twins (game II)

Gil Meche working on his normal rest today will face Livan Hernadez and the Twins for the second game of a three game set. Meche went 6 innings in his first start allowing three runs and escaping with a no decision.

Box Score


Meche had another rough outing as he gave up 6 runs in 5 2/3 innings. Meche was cruising along through three innings before Morneau took a Meche pitch 420 ft. Mahey and Yabuta each made their first appearances of the spring, they combined for 2.1 innings of one hit ball.

The Royals offense continued its struggles today by again only scoring 4 runs, that's 20 for the season, and if you do the math that is 648 for the season. Hillman made several switches today to try and get the bats going. He switched Gordon and Teahen in the order and gave Buck the day off in favor of Olivo and Pena had a seat on the bench as Callaspo got his first start of the year. Those moves worked okay as the 4 went 5-16 with 3 RBI.

Royals at Twins (game I)

John Bale looks to keep the Royals winnings streak alive by taking on Scott Baker and the Minnesota Twins in a 7:10 start. The Royals are still without DeJesus as he is mending a sprain to his ankle, he isn't expected to make any starts during this series so we will see some more of Joey Gathright.

Box Score

The Royals 3 game winning streak came to a halt tonight as John Bale gave up 4 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Bale making his first start obviously wasn't as sharp as he was in spring training, he allowed 10 hits and only had 2 K's. Scott Baker, who nearly pitched a no-hitter against the Royals late last year, was nearly un-hittable after the 2nd inning.

The Royals offense is still in a slumber, collecting 8 hits but only three runs. The Twins scored the winning run when Mike Lamb doubled to lead off the fourth and then was bunted the third by Tolbert and the squeezed home by Everett...who would have thought, but then again small ball is exactly what the Twins do well.

Royals at Tigers (series one) recap

Who would have predicted that the Kansas City Royals would come out and sweep the overly-hyped Tigers to open the season? The Royals came out and played solid fundamental baseball and they out pitched, hit, and hustled the Tigers.


Game 1: Meche battled through 6 innings giving up three runs, he was followed by Tomko, Nunez and Soria. Gordon provided the early offense with a 2-run shot in the 6th. Royals hold on to win 5-4 in 11 innings.


Player of the game: Alex Gordon; his two run shot got the Royals on the board and rattled Verlander.


Game 2: Brian Bannister was the story of this game going 7 innings allowing 0 ER and only 2 hits, he was followed by Nunez and Soria. Grudzeilanek, Guillen, and Butler each had a double in the 6th accounting for the Royals first 2 runs. Royals win 4-0, in getting their first shut-out of the year.


Player of the game: Brian Bannister; he was amazing, enough said.


Game 3: Zach Greinke kept the good pitching performances going by throwing 7 strong innings allowing only 1 ER. Greinke was following by Ramirez, and Soria. The offense was again started by Gordon going yard in the 4th, a two run shot. The Royals scored single runs in the 6th (Teahens 1st HR) and 7th en route to a 4-1 win and completed the sweep.


Player of the game: Zack Greinke; he was solid, especially when runners were on base.


Unheralded player(s) of the series: Mark Grudzeilanek (6-12, 3 runs) and Joakim Soria. (3IP, 4K's, 2 saves)

Look at the numbers:

• Royals are 3-0 for the first time since 2003
• The Royals didn't win a series last year until April 20-22nd against the Twins
• Royals allowed only 5 ER's in 29 Innings while striking out 24 K's/9 BB's
• Royals outscored the Tigers 13-5
• Royals out homered the Tigers 3-2
• Royals out hit the Tigers 29-21
• Royals don't play the Tigers again until May 13th
• Royals were 3-4 in SB attempts

Notes: David DeJesus only played 3 innings due to re-injuring his ankle.

Royals at Tigers (game III)

The Royals go for a sweep of the Tigers today at 12:05, Zack Greinke will take the mound against Jeremy Bonderman. The Royals have gotten great starts from Meche and Bannister with just enough offense to put away the Tigers, Greinke tries to continue this streak.

Its pretty amazing the way the Royals have started the year, sure it's only 2-0, but it's 2-0 for the first time since '03...that's an amazing start for the Royals. I'll have to miss the game today (stupid school) but will give a game update later.

Box Score

Greinke and the Royals completed the three game sweep of the Tigers today. Greinke allowed 1 run and 6 hits over 7 innings and Soria closed out the game with a 1-2-3 9th. The offense today was sparked by another 2-run homer courtesy of Gordon in the 4th and Teahen hit his first home run of the young season in the 6th.

Royals at Tigers (game II)

At 12:05 Brian Bannister will take the mound against Kenny Rogers and the Tigers. The Royals are looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2003, in fact, the Royals havn't won an opening season series since the 2003 season.

Box Score

So there it is, the Royals first opening series win since 2003 and murderer's row didn't phase Bannister as he shut down the Detroit Tigers going 7 innings and allowing 0 ER, 4 K's and 0 BB's. Bannister worked quick and got help from some overly aggressive Tiger hitters needing only 85 pitches.

The offense again struggled early as Rogers kept them off balance but three doubles by Grudzeilanek, Guillen, and Butler produced two runs in the 5th. In the 8th Butler came through with his second big 2-out hit and scored Gathright and then Teahen got Butler home with a single to center.

A couple of curious bullpen decisions by Hillman in the late innings as he again brought Nunez in to pitch the eighth and then brought in Soria to close out the game in a non-save situation. The moves worked, and I'm not about to start questioning Hillman after two games; lets just hope we get an easy win tomorrow and these two guys can have a rest.