"Maybe we're all just spoiled. That's what Royals manager Trey Hillman thinks. We're used to seeing Joakim Soria come in, used to "Welcome to the Jungle" blaring around the stadium, and used to the ninth inning being over quickly.

So when Soria comes in to pitch for the first time in four days and shows a little rust - Hillman says that's all it is - there tends to be an overreaction after the Royals' 3-1 win Thursday over Seattle. That's what Hillman thinks.

"(Rust) is exactly what I'd attribute it to," he said. "Everybody's so used to him coming in and doing it in nine or 10 pitches, and one-two-three. He's had some inconsistencies, so I'd say that's exactly it: rust."

Maybe so. But the numbers - two walks, two hits and one run surrendered while taking his seventh save - are concerning, especially in light of the Royals covering up the shoulder soreness that kept Soria's activity to a minimum in April."