"A not-so-hypothetical situation:

The Royals are holding a lead in the sixth or seventh inning, but the opponent is mounting a threat. In sifting through options in a shaky relief corps, does manager Trey Hillman ever consider summoning closer Joakim Soria?

"There's a thought there," Hillman said, "but, No. 1, it's a very unusual time for Joakim Soria to pitch in a ballgame. No. 2, you've still got those same bats coming up in the ninth in a higher-leverage situation — because it is the ninth, even if there are no runners on base."

The short answer, then, is no, or at least not yet. Burning Soria early in the game, Hillman contends, creates more problems than it solves — even after watching his bullpen blow four leads in the season's first eight games.

The issue sharpened Tuesday when a five-run lead slipped away in the seventh inning in a 6-5 loss to the Tigers. All six runs scored in the seventh with Soria anchored to a bullpen seat.

"You're changing two guys," Hillman said. "Your closer is pitching earlier (than accustomed), and then another guy is pitching later and in a higher-leverage situation. I think you're adding to the potential problems of the equation.

"I'm not saying that's so far-fetched that we might not have to try that. But … I don't blame any frustration among our fans in watching our games. I don't blame them at all. Smoke is coming out of my ears, and my hat is blowing off, too."

Bullpen alternatives

There were no personnel changes Wednesday among the beleaguered eight-man bullpen, which entered the game weighed down by a 7.96 ERA after allowing 23 runs, 36 hits and 17 walks in 26 innings.

One possible reason is a lack of viable alternatives in the minors.

"No one at this point," Hillman said, "has really risen to the top and said, 'Man, I'm going out there and blowing and going. I'm throwing strikes with fastballs and secondary pitches.'

"We've had a couple of spots. They're only a handful of games into it. (Anthony) Lerew has had a couple of tough outings. (Blake) Wood has had one good one and one bad one. (Matt) Herges has had a bad one, and he's had a decent one. He's throwing the ball better. (Brad) Thompson has been so-so.""