Royals News

Greinke can't halt Royals' skid in 5-0 loss to White Sox
"Zack Greinke at his April best probably isn't good enough Friday to overcome the Royals' white-flag attack. And he was far from his April best. Not bad, really. Just not April. And not nearly good enough to halt the Royals' free fall, which accelerated further in a 5-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox in front of a fireworks-fueled sellout crowd at Kauffman Stadium. The chief problem, as usual, was the Royals' inability to mount an attack, although there was also a costly error by second baseman Alberto Callaspo that led to two unearned runs. "It wears on you," manager Trey Hillman said. "We've got to have better at-bats with the consistency one through nine _ especially one through six with ..."
Royals take all the fun out of a nice Friday
"There was really only one word for Friday night's game: Depressing. You hate to use that word on a fireworks Friday night leading into Independence Day. There was a sellout crowd at Kauffman Stadium, and RLBS (Royals Lone Bright Spot) Zack Greinke was pitching, and the weather was just about perfect, and, hey, at the end of the day it's still major-league baseball, a wonderful thing for a city to have. But … man, that was depressing. The Royals lost to the White Sox 5-0, and the game wasn't that close. This was the fourth straight game the Royals have scored one or zero runs - that ties a team record, so there is that. The Royals did not get a runner to third base until the eighth inning. ..."
Konerko: Never mind foe, just win
"Paul Konerko and his teammates aren't going to apologize for suddenly playing the bully. Feasting on American League Central also-rans Cleveland and Kansas City during their seven-game winning streak makes it seem the Sox are fooling themselves into thinking they're better than they might be. But not so fast. In taking series from Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs and Cincinnati, the Sox showed they could handle teams with records of .500 or better. Considering where the Sox were in May, Konerko said there are only two columns to look at every day -- and the winning percentage of the opponent isn't one of them. ''That's why right now you're solely looking at games behind and ..."
Sox finally whack Zack
"Not one batter was hit by Zack Greinke. That didn't stop the White Sox from hitting back. Considering the Royals' ace seemingly had made target practice of Sox players the last few seasons -- nine of the 29 batters he has plunked in his career were Sox hitters -- call what they did Friday South Side justice. After Greinke dominated the Sox in his first two outings against them this season, a no-decision last month at least showed the Sox they could make the Cy Young candidate bleed. In their fourth crack at the right-hander, they showed they could beat him. In handing Greinke only his fourth loss of the year in the 5-0 blanking at Kauffman Stadium, the Sox also remained the hottest team in ..."
Chicago White Sox blank Kansas City Royals 5-0
"The overall competition hasn't been the greatest, but the White Sox achieved a significant conquest Friday night on the way to earning their season-high seventh consecutive victory. They soundly solved formidable Zack Greinke en route to a 5-0 triumph over the Kansas City Royals before a quiet sellout crowd of 39,026 at Kauffman Stadium. Of all the impressive numbers the Sox have amassed during this winning stretch, their mastery of Greinke easily superseded their pounding Tuesday of 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee. The Sox tagged Greinke for nine hits in six innings. They might have had more runs to show for their success if three baserunners had not been nailed on ..."
Royals' offensive funk deepens in 4-1 loss to White Sox
"More of the same. The Royals wasted another fine performance from a starting pitcher Thursday night -- that makes three in a row -- in a 4-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. In isolation, this one was understandable. The Royals were matched against Chicago ace Mark Buehrle, who can do this to anyone and has often done it in the past to the Royals. But the overall offensive flat-lining is accelerating. The Royals have scored just three runs in losing their last three games; 19 runs in losing five of their last seven; and 31 runs in losing eight of their last 12. They haven't scored five runs since a 12-5 loss to the Cardinals on June 19 and haven't scored more than five ..."
Royals are a terrible base-running team
"One thing you can say about these Royals: They are reliable. I went out Thursday night with the tentative idea of writing about the remarkably bad base running they have exhibited this year. And it has been legendarily bad. But here's the thing about choosing a column topic before the game - the game has a knack of killing early ideas. I mean: If you go out to write about how well a team is pitching, the starter probably will give up nine runs. If you go out to write about how well a team is fielding, they'll make three errors. It's just how things work. So, I had backup plans if the Royals ran the bases well on this night. I was open to writing something else if the Royals had given me ..."
Sox on guard against Royals headbanger Greinke
"Keep an eye on Kansas City Royals ace Zack Greinke when he takes the mound tonight. And if you're a White Sox hitter, watch your head. Greinke, who has made an early statement this season to fuel Cy Young Award talk, has a history of beaning Sox hitters. Of the 29 batters Greinke has plunked in his career, nine were Sox players. He has hit only hit five batters from the other teams in the American League Central. ''To have success in the big leagues, you have to pitch inside,'' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ''It's one thing to pitch inside, and it's another thing to pitch behind the hitters. He pitched to [Alexei] Ramirez [earlier this season]. That ball was in, just to get him out of ..."
Minnesota Twins finally reach two games over .500
"Joe Mauer has enough hits to lead the major leagues in batting average. Soon, he'll have enough plate appearances. Mauer went 3 for 3 Wednesday in the Twins' 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Batting .392, he is eight plate appearances short of the 3.1 per game needed to qualify for the batting race. "If I have anything to do with it, he'll qualify," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I don't mind writing his name in there. He'll get plenty of at-bats." With Michael Cuddyer hitting a long home run and Glen Perkins holding the Royals to one run, the Twins (41-39) ended a 6-3 trip by rising to two games over .500 for the first time this season. Seven times earlier this season, they ..."
Perkins shows his stuff on trip
"Twins lefthander Glen Perkins mastered the Show-Me State challenge over the past week with victories at St. Louis and Kansas City. On Wednesday, Perkins held the Royals to one run on 10 hits, nine of them singles, with no walks and one strikeout in seven innings, as the Twins won 5-1. Yes, the 10 hits don't look good, but the Twins defense turned three double plays. You need to induce grounders to get double plays, and Perkins was all about that Wednesday, getting his first 10 outs and 17 of his 21 outs in all on ground balls. "I had a good sinker today," said Perkins, who beat the Royals for the first time in three career starts against them. "Like last time [Friday in St. Louis], I just ..."
Olivo serves one-game suspension in series finals against Twins
"Royals catcher Miguel Olivo opted not to fight baseball's hierarchy. He received a one-game suspension and a $1,500 fine for actions stemming from his ejection Saturday for arguing a check-swing call with umpire Phil Cuzzi in a 6-2 loss at Pittsburgh. Olivo served the suspension Wednesday when the Royals concluded a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins with a 5-1 loss at Kauffman Stadium. "I thought about appealing," he said, "but you never win with that. If I appeal it, it's just going to be delayed. That's why I decided to take it today and have it over with." Brayan Peña started Wednesday at catcher, while first baseman Mike Jacobs and outfielder Mitch Maier, former catchers, ..."
Meche bounces back but Royals keep stumbling in 5-1 loss to Twins
"Gil Meche showed no signs of a "dead arm" Wednesday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. The problem was, and remains, all of those dead bats. Throw in another ill-timed defensive blooper and a leaky bullpen and the Royals were left with a 5-1 loss at Kauffman Stadium that served to waste another solid performance from the rotation. "If I had any answers," right fielder Willie Bloomquist said, "you wouldn't be asking me if I had any answers." How about a few facts then? Starting pitchers Luke Hochevar, Brian Bannister and Meche combined to limit the Twins to three earned runs over 20 innings in the series, and the Royals managed to win just one of the three games. Meche quelled concerns ..."
Aviles out for rest of the season
"Royals shortstop Mike Aviles will undergo reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and will be out for the rest of the season, manager Trey Hillman announced on Wednesday. "Mike Aviles is going to have Tommy John [elbow ligament replacement] surgery a week from today," Hillman said. "Dr. [Lewis] Yocum will be doing it in L.A. We came to this conclusion after further testing. Obviously, there is ligament damage." Aviles has been on the disabled list since May 23 with what was described as a right forearm strain. Hillman said the strain was a result of the elbow damage. "It's definitely disappointing," Aviles said, "but I know something's wrong there because it wasn't getting any better. ..."
Major elbow surgery for Royals' Aviles
"Shortstop Mike Aviles is scheduled to undergo reconstructive-elbow surgery, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, to correct ligament damage that failed to heal through rest. Typical recovery time for non-pitchers undergoing the procedure is nine-to-12 months. Aviles, 28, was the Royals' player of the year in 2008 as a rookie when he batted .325 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs in 102 games."
Royals' Olivo suspended one game, fined
"Royals catcher Miguel Olivo received a one-game suspension and a $1,500 fine Wednesday morning for actions stemming from his ejection Saturday for arguing a check-swing call with umpire Phil Cuzzi in a 6-2 loss at Pittsburgh. Olivo opted against an appeal and served the suspension Wednesday when the Royals concluded a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. "I thought about appealing," he said, "but you never win with that. If I appeal it, it's just going to be delayed. That's why I decided to take it today and have it over with." Brayan Peña started Wednesday at catcher, while first baseman Mike Jacobs and outfielder Mitch Maier, former catchers, served as ..."
Working the sell phones
"Indians GM Mark Shapiro has seen this movie before and might be directing it again. The struggling Tribe already shipped out useful vet DeRosa and rumors abound that Shapiro might say goodbye to pitchers Carl Pavano and Kerry Wood and possibly even slugging catcher Victor Martinez if the price is right. The Orioles could dangle Aubrey Huff, Ty Wigginton or Luke Scott, the Pirates and Nationals already have shown a willingness to part with a good portion of their players, the Royals could make available a host of position players and pitchers, the Padres might offer a little hitting (Scott Hairston) while the D-backs could deal pitching (Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Chad Qualls) to the right ..."
Royals waste chances in 2-1 loss to Twins
"It takes some doing to waste a pitching performance as strong as Brian Bannister delivered Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. These are the Royals, though, and they met the challenge in a 2-1 loss at Kauffman Stadium. There was the offensive inability to capitalize on an inefficient Scott Baker, who labored through 111 pitches in just five innings. Add 2 1/3 innings of nothing against one-time Royals reject Bobby Keppel before José Mijares, Matt Guerrier and Joe Nathan closed out the game. Mix in a just-can't-happen baserunning error when David DeJesus got picked off first base in the fifth inning while Baker lurched through a 15-pitch battle with Willie Bloomquist. And then the ..."
Radar gun should tell story today on Meche
"It's no secret the Royals will be watching closely this afternoon to see if right-hander Gil Meche shows any signs of the "dead arm" that limited his effectiveness last Friday in Pittsburgh. You can play along, too, by tracking Meche's velocity on the radar gun in the 1:10 p.m. game against the Twins. If he is topping out in the high 80s, regard that as a warning siren. "Everything else feeds off my fastball," Meche said. "So if my fastball is not good, my curveball is going to be terrible. So on and so forth. I've never had to be a pitcher who completely relied on location. "The other day, I gave up a couple of home runs right over the plate. If those pitches are 93-94 (mph), maybe they ..."
Meche 'good to go' for next start, manager says
"Gil Meche produced a thumbs-up Monday afternoon after a pregame throwing workout to test whether his "dead arm" can handle his scheduled start Wednesday against Minnesota. Meche rested his arm for two days, saying that Monday's throwing session from flat ground would determine his availability to pitch the series finale against the Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Royals manager Trey Hillman said the decision would mostly be Meche's. Turns out he feels good enough. "Gil is good to go," Hillman said. "He's going to pitch Wednesday." Meche is 4-7 with a 4.27 ERA, and his next start was in doubt after displaying diminished velocity and complaining of "not feeling good" after lasting just five ..."
Hochevar works seven shutout innings as Royals beat Twins 4-2
"Mark this down as another notable growth point in what the Royals hope is a steady upward curve for right-hander Luke Hochevar and not just because he worked seven shutout innings Monday in a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Hochevar battled early command problems before finding a groove - an ability to adjust on that fly that he hasn't often displayed. "In the past," he admitted, "if I started out with bad fastball command, I would just focus so hard on trying to get it back. I'd keep throwing it, and I'd start throwing fastballs that were too good because I wanted to throw strikes with it. "So this was a good adjustment for me. OK, my fastball wasn't there. Well, I've got four other ..."
Twins lineup intact ... almost
"The Twins arrived at Kauffman Stadium on Monday looking forward, finally, to a game in which they weren't shorthanded or waiting for someone to come off the disabled list. "I'm glad," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire even said before the game. But then third baseman Joe Crede tried to get loose and felt stiffness in his lower back. About 15 minutes before game time, the Twins pulled Crede from the lineup. Crede said his back felt tight when he got to the park, but he hoped it would improve after stretching. It never did. "It got to a point where your back was not going to get loose,'' Crede said. This is the second time Crede has missed a start to rest his surgically repaired back. The other ..."
Meche to decide today on whether to pitch Wednesday
"Gil Meche will test his "dead arm" today in a throwing workout before deciding whether to make his scheduled start Wednesday against Minnesota. "I won't know anything until (today)," he said. "Am I concerned? Wouldn't you be? I was throwing 87-88 miles an hour (on Friday). So, yeah, I'm concerned." Meche lasted just five innings Friday and showed diminished velocity in a 5-3 loss to the Pirates and complained afterward of "not feeling great." It was his second straight disappointing start since a shutout June 16 against Arizona. "It depends on how he feels in a couple of days," manager Trey Hillman said. "He says he felt a little dead in his last start." Meche said he didn't believe the ..."
Greinke gets 10th win as Royals hold off Pirates 3-2
"Hey, now, with all of the problems the Royals are having, the last thing they needed, or deserved, really, was for Mother Nature to pile on. Zack Greinke was rolling along in top form Sunday afternoon, and nursing a three-run lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when the rains hit PNC Park. Play continued long enough for Greinke to hit some turbulence. Then a rain delay lasted long enough to get him out of the game. Somehow it worked out. The Royals held on for a 3-2 victory when Joakim Soria worked through the heart of the Pirates' order in the ninth inning for his ninth save in 11 opportunities. "Too bad how it happened," Greinke said, "but the end result is all that matters. And it ..."
This pitching ace too much for Pirates
"Quite a few times in the Pirates' 3-2 loss to Kansas City yesterday at PNC Park, they appeared poised to topple yet another opponent's ace, this time the Royals' sensational Zack Greinke. "Give us credit: We were after him all day," second baseman Freddy Sanchez said. "But he's one of the best pitchers in baseball, and there's a reason for it. Every time we got something going, he shut us down." The Pirates got a single in the second inning ... and nothing. Another single the next inning ... still nothing. Two-out single in the fourth ... caught stealing. Single in the fifth ... two popups. Finally, something semi-solid materialized in the sixth, once Kansas City had taken a 3-0 lead off ..."
Rain sets Pirates back in loss to Royals
"Until Sunday, Jason Jaramillo had never spent an hour in the on-deck circle. "It was weird," Jaramillo said after the Pirates absorbed a soggy, 3-2 loss against the Kansas City Royals. "It was like I was leading off a new game. My blood was flowing a little too much. We got close, but just couldn't pull it off." Royals right-hander Zack Greinke was dominant for six innings. A rain delay in the seventh knocked Greinke out of the game - but also short-circuited the Pirates' lone rally. "I think it squashed a little bit of our momentum," manager John Russell said. With Kansas City leading 3-0, Adam LaRoche began the bottom of the seventh with a single to center, his third hit of the game. ..."
Royals, Greinke clamp down on Pirates, 3-2
"Zack Greinke, the midseason favorite for the American League's Cy Young Award, limited the Pirates to two runs over 6 1/3 innings and lifted Kansas City to a 3-2 victory this afternoon before 25,888 at PNC Park. The Royals avoided a three-game sweep. Greinke now is 10-1 with a 1.95 ERA. The Pirates' Charlie Morton did not fare so well in his home debut, allowing three runs and seven hits in five innings. That included David DeJesus' home run to lead off the fourth, to center field off what appeared to be a decent 93-mph fastball with a 2-2 count. In the fifth, Kansas City opened with back-to-back doubles by Alberto Callaspo and Mark Teahen for one run. Teahen eventually scored on a ..."
Greinke, Royals halt sweep by Pirates
"Zack Greinke and a rain delay short-circuited the Pirates' offense today, as the Kansas City Royals held on for a 3-2 victory. The Pirates managed seven hits, all but one of them singles. After finally scoring in the seventh inning, they waited out a long rain delay and did not get another hit. David DeJesus' solo homer in the fourth inning off of right-hander Charlie Morton (0-1) gave the Royals the lead. Kansas City went up 3-0 in fifth on doubles by Alberto Collapso and Mark Teahen, a single by Mitch Maier and DeJesus' fielder's choice grounder. The Pirates scratched out just four singles through the first six innings against Greinke (10-3), who came in with the majors' best ERA (1.90). ..."
Meche's status for next start in question
"Addressing his right shoulder issue, Gil Meche laid it down pretty simply regarding his availability for his next start on Wednesday. "If I feel good tomorrow, then I'm pitching," Meche said. "If I don't feel good tomorrow, then I'm not pitching." The right-hander took Saturday and Sunday off from playing catch, as he tries to rebound in time for his scheduled start. In his past two starts, Meche has given up 13 runs, including four home runs, in 8 1/3 innings. His ERA has risen from 3.31 to 4.27 in that time. Meche spent Saturday running and exercising, including dumbbell work and icing three times. He planned on doing the same Sunday. Taking one day off from playing catch after a start ..."
Pitch counts are just one way to judge whether a pitcher is being overused
"Zack Greinke has more than $35 million coming from the Royals. Gil Meche is owed more than $29 million. These are enormous sums, obviously, more than twice what the team chipped in for stadium renovations, and these investments come with all the requisite care. Greinke has had issues with social anxiety, and Meche's problem is a tricky back, but the biggest worry for each is the arm. This is one of baseball's eternal debates, and it'll fire up again today, maybe around the seventh inning or so, when Greinke approaches his 100th pitch. Save the arm, play it safe? Or let it ride, get your money's worth? It is an impossible situation to handle perfectly, and so the second-guessing floods in ..."
Greinke going for win No. 10
"Zack Greinke has the chance today to become the first Royals pitcher to win 10 games before the end of June since Paul Byrd on June 27, 2002. Byrd is the only Royals pitcher to accomplish the feat in the last 15 years. Greinke enters today's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 9-3 with a 1.90 ERA. Only eight pitchers in club history have won 10 games before the end of June. Steve Busby (1974-75) and Bret Saberhagen (1987-88) each did it twice. Saberhagen also holds the distinction of the fastest pitcher to 10 victories in club history. He improved to 10-1 on June 4, 1987, with a complete-game victory in Seattle. Others on the list are Paul Splittorff (1973), Larry Gura (1980), ..."
Meche dismisses 132-pitch outing as reason for slide
"Can Gil Meche's recent struggles be traced to throwing a career-high 132 pitches June 16 in a complete-game shutout against Arizona? He says no. "I've done it before," Meche said. "I've thrown 129 pitches a couple of times, and it never had any effect then. I just don't feel that my arm speed is great right now." Meche's velocity dropped significantly Friday after second inning in a 5-3 loss to the Pirates in the series opener. That followed a disastrous start last Sunday when he lasted just 3 1/3 innings while allowing a career-high nine earned runs. "We looked at video of his start (against the Cardinals)," manager Trey Hillman said, "and his stuff was there. His command wasn't there. ..."
Royals' slide continues in 6-2 loss to Pirates
"If you haven't seen it - it being José Guillen getting hit in the face by a ball caroming off the right-field wall - you will, and it pretty much sums up life these days for the Royals. No, things aren't going well, and Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates is just the latest example. Frustration is mounting, too. Miguel Olivo was ejected in the ninth inning by umpire Phil Cuzzi for arguing a checked-swing strike and had to be restrained by manager Trey Hillman and others from escalating his argument into a physical confrontation. "They train the home-plate umpire to call that," Hillman said, "but it wasn't even close. It was frustration. No doubt about it." The Royals, after three ..."
Young's three-run blast lifts Pirates past Royals, 6-2
"Delwyn Young's three-run home run and four RBIs, plus Paul Maholm's seven solid innings, carried the Pirates past the Kansas City Royals, 6-2, tonight before a near-sellout crowd of 36,032 at PNC Park. Maholm improved to 5-4 by limiting Kansas City to two runs and five hits. He had one win in his previous 11 starts, mostly because his signature sinker had all but deserted him. Not this time: He got 10 of his 27 outs via ground ball and, after a shaky opening, most of that was due to the sinker. The Royals took a 2-0 lead through three innings, and the Pirates, facing freshly recalled journeyman Bruce Chen, figured to be in trouble: Chen had not pitched in Major League Baseball since 2007 ..."
Young, Pirates take down Royals
"Delwyn Young, tonight, delivered a career-high four RBI, including a three-run home run, to power the Pirates past the Kansas City Royals, 6-2. Young homered in the fourth inning off Bruce Chen. In the eighth, he hit a run-scoring single to right. Over his past 11 starts, Young is batting .416 with two homers and seven RBI. Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm picked up the victory, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings. Maholm (5-4) had lost three of his previous four decisions, and in that span, had raised his ERA by more than a half-point. Perhaps it helped being back at PNC Park, where Maholm has gone 10-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 22 starts since last season. It was the Pirates' fourth ..."
Royals recall Chen over Ponson to start against Pirates
"The Royals opted for a veteran lefty, Bruce Chen, over a veteran righty, Sidney Ponson, as their starting pitcher for the second game of the series tonight at PNC Park. Ponson, who the International Baseball Federation announced Friday had tested positive for a stimulant in the World Baseball Classic, remained an option because the failed test does not carry a suspension by Major League Baseball. "They were the two considerations, obviously," Hillman said. "We thought the most prudent thing to do with Sidney was to keep him on his rehab program. He's scheduled (Friday) for 50-60 pitches, and he could probably do more than that. "But with the productivity of Chen's last three starts, we ..."
KC's Jacobs adjusting batting stance
"Mike Jacobs isn't kidding himself. He knows he's underperforming, and he's open to adjustments in his approach at the plate. It's just that doing so, on the fly in the middle of the season, is sort of like driving to a place you've never been in the dark. "It's tough when you're going away from what you've done for so long and what you're so used to doing," he admitted. "Sure, it's hard to buy into something else. But right now, there's no reason not to look to change some things. "I'm hoping to salvage the year. There is plenty of time left that I can still put up some pretty big numbers this year." The Royals touted Jacobs, after acquiring him last October from Florida for reliever Leo ..."
Royals pay for mistakes in 5-3 loss to Pirates
"It's getting so bad for the Royals that at times, and Friday's 5-3 loss to Pittsburgh was one of them, it's hard to identify their biggest problem. Was it that Gil Meche suddenly can't keep the ball in the park? Or that a punchless lineup ensured somebody named Virgil Vasquez will have at least one night to cherish in his big-league career? Or was it a stunning base-running blunder by Miguel Olivo - two of them, actually, on the same play - that sapped the energy from their best chance to make Vasquez look like a guy who hadn't pitched in the majors in nearly 21 months? Take your pick. Start with Meche, who didn't allow a homer this season until his eighth start and had permitted just two ..."
Vasquez, PiratesRoyals, 5-3
"Virgil Vasquez was waived three times in a three-month span this offseason. He may have found a home. The 27-year-old right-hander pitched six strong innings and recorded his first major-league victory, as the Pirates powered past the Royals, 5-3, on Friday night at PNC Park. "It was the most comfortable I've ever been," he said. "You know that you are a big-league pitcher inside, but you never really know until you do it. It was just nice just to do it." Vasquez, recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace demoted Ian Snell, allowed two runs on four hits in his first major-league start in nearly two years. Most impressively, Vasquez (1-0) struck out seven - albeit ..."
Online balloting to decide '09 All-Stars
"We, the people, are deciding who goes to the 80th All-Star Game July 14 in St. Louis.We are ready for the mad rush.We are entering that Validation Key over and over, submitting our 25 allotted votes in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com.We punched those Walt Disney Pictures G-Force All-Star Game paper ballots and left those little chads all over ballparks, and now those last paper ballots are being collected tonight at Pittsburgh and Houston as it goes online-only for the homestretch.We know it's the final week to decide starters. Our deadline as empowered fans is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, and we know that only because we have been staring at this javascript voting app ..."
Mother's Day bats now up for auction
"It has been a big first half of baseball for current American League All-Star first baseman vote front-runner Mark Teixeira, and that included that memorable Mother's Day game back in his hometown of Baltimore, where he crushed a two-run homer for the Yankees.He was swinging a pink bat."It's obviously huge -- I think that's the first home run I've hit with a pink bat, so I'm going to go bring that to Mom right now," Teixeira said on May 9, referring to Margy, a breast cancer survivor who had been diagnosed when he was a freshman at Baltimore's St. Joseph's High School. "As soon as I hit it, I thought about it. It's pretty special to me."Margy may have gotten that pink bat, but another one ..."
Royals notebook: Decision on starting pitcher on hold
"The Royals perhaps tipped their hand Wednesday regarding a starting pitcher for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh by limiting veteran left-hander Bruce Chen to two innings and 23 pitches in Class AAA Omaha's 7-5 loss at Memphis. "He's certainly a candidate for Saturday," manager Trey Hillman said, "but we don't have anything definitive yet." The Royals want to hold off on any official move until they learn the results of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam Thursday afternoon on reliever Kyle Farnsworth's right groin. Farnsworth needed to be helped from the field Wednesday night after suffering a groin injury while making a pitch to Houston's Pudge Rodriguez. Farnsworth was walking unaided ..."
Exam confirms Farnsworth has partial tear of right groin
"Veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth appears headed to the disabled list after a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed a grade-two strain and partial tear of his right groin. Farnsworth confirmed the diagnosis Thursday afternoon before the Royals departed for their weekend series in Pittsburgh. "I just found out about it," he said. "I don't know what the plan is yet." Club officials want to digest Farnsworth's injury, and its impact on their bullpen, before determining a starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Pirates. Farnsworth needed to be helped from the field Wednesday night after collapsing at the mound following a pitch to Houston's Pudge Rodriguez. Farnsworth is now able to ..."
Royals let Astros off the hook in 5-4 loss
"A little etiquette help here, please. When presented an unexpected gift, is the proper response to just flat refuse to take it? If so, the Royals acted properly Thursday in their 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. For here was the chance for the Royals to register their first sweep in a road series since last September. The Astros tried to make it easy, too, by playing defense with the sort of organized precision of preschoolers coloring within the lines. But no. "We had every opportunity to sweep this series," manager Trey Hillman agreed, "and we didn't take advantage of it." The Royals permitted three different leads to slip away, including two that were absolutely ..."
Opposite day is productive for Berkman
"He has an on-base percentage 45 points higher than the National League average and a slugging percentage 103 points higher, and he's having a bad year. Such is life when your expectations are as high as Lance Berkman's. So it was no surprise that after belting a pair of two-run homers in the Astros' 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday at Minute Maid Park, Berkman treated the day with tempered enthusiasm. "I didn't even hit the ball that great," said Berkman, who twice took Brian Bannister deep to left field. "I just happened to take advantage of the Crawford Boxes. The first homer I hit pretty well; the second homer I didn't hit quite as good. But I'll take it, for ..."
Vasquez called up, will start tonight against the Royals
"Right-hander Virgil Vasquez was called up from Triple-A and will start tonight against Kansas City. Righty Charlie Morton was pushed back to Sunday, giving his tender hamstring more time to heal. • Catcher Ryan Doumit (broken bone in right wrist) will leave Sunday for Bradenton, Fla., to work out at the team's spring training facility. Doumit could be on track to return to the Pirates by the end of July. "We are very pleased with his progress," general manager Neal Huntington said. • Outfielder Brandon Moss got a rare start last night against a left-handed pitcher. Not just any left-hander, but American League Cy Young winner Cliff Lee. Manager John Russell said he has liked Moss' approach ..."
Buck starting Triple-A rehab stint
"Catcher John Buck, on the fifth anniversary of his trade from the Astros to the Royals, was on the move again. This time, though, he wasn't changing organizations. Buck hustled out of the clubhouse late Wednesday afternoon to catch a flight to Memphis where he'd catch up with the Triple-A Omaha Royals to begin his injury rehabilitation assignment. There's no timetable set for Buck's return to the Royals as the backup for Miguel Olivo. "It all depends on how he does," manager Trey Hillman said. Buck, on the disabled list since May 31 with a back ailment, will catch an ever-increasing number of innings, those games interspersed with turns as the designated hitter in which he'll be in for ..."
Olivo's homer helps Royals outlast Astros 4-3 in 11 innings
"That all-too-familiar companion, heartbreak, chased the Royals around Minute Maid Park for 11 innings Wednesday night. Only this time, somehow and in improbable fashion, the Royals escaped. Miguel Olivo's leadoff home run in the 11th inning against ex-Royals reliever Jeff Fulchino provided the winning margin in a wild 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros. "I know what (pitches) he has," Olivo said. "But I'm not expecting him to throw me a fastball in that situation. Everybody throws me sliders because I'm a free swinger. I'm swinging all of the time, and I got my pitch." The Royals erased a one-run deficit in the ninth inning against Houston closer José Valverde, aided by an error and a ..."
Latest loss Royal pain for Astros
"Two outs from victory Wednesday night, the Astros found a way to turn what could have been an encouraging win into one of their worst and strangest losses of the season. A Lance Berkman error led to an unearned run that tied the game in the ninth, and after an exchange of runs in the 10th, Miguel Olivo homered on the first pitch of the 11th to give the Kansas City Royals a 4-3 win at Minute Maid Park. "Definitely one of the more disappointing losses for the year," manager Cecil Cooper said. The disappointment came mostly in the ninth, when the Astros had a chance to close it out with Jose Valverde on the mound and a 2-1 lead. With one out, Mitch Maier's routine ground ball went through the ..."
Royals, Greinke win again by beating Astros
"It didn't figure to be easy, did it? Not after five straight blowout losses. Not even with Zack Greinke working eight strong innings, and a healthy Joakim Soria available in the ninth. And it wasn't - but the Royals held on Tuesday night for a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. "We've been pitching bad and hitting well," Greinke said. "When you're not pitching, you can't win. You've got to be able to pitch. Soria pulled it out, too. He got himself in a jam when, usually, he's one-two-three." Yep, the pitching returned after yielding 53 runs in the last five games. Soria got his first save since May 7 but, boy, it was heart-pounder right to the end after Miguel Tejada ..."
Torn labrum ends season for Crisp
"Royals outfielder Coco Crisp will undergo season-ending surgery today after an examination Monday confirmed his sore right shoulder to be the result of a torn labrum. "Obviously, that's not what we were looking for," manager Trey Hillman said, "but it's something that needs to be done. We'll go ahead and take care of that now." Dr. James Andrews, a shoulder specialist, confirmed the tear Monday in Birmingham, Ala., and will perform the surgery at 11 this morning. The typical recovery period for a torn labrum is four to six months. Crisp, 29, hasn't played since June 12 but began experiencing shoulder pain in April. The pain increased sharply in early May, which roughly correlates to his ..."
Royals Forum Top 5
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