Jul/091
This is getting ridiculous
Posted by: photogwingsfan on July 9, 2009.
When The Royals When the Kansas City Royals (36-48) took the field last night I assumed like most that they had an above than average chance of winning the game against Detroit. The Royals had their “10-J-Q-K-ACE” Zack Greinke on the mound against Lucas French, who was born in Salina, KS, which is home to an amazing burger joint called the Cozy Inn. French was looking for his first major league win and as we know obtained it with a 3-1 win.
Normally three runs are good enough for a pitcher to expect a win but not for the Royals pitching staff. The Royals have a team batting average of .252 (13th place of 14 A.L. teams), have hit only 73 homeruns (13th place of 14 A.L. teams) and have only 712 hits (which also puts them into 13th place out of 14 A.L. teams). I could go on about the boys in blue dismal batting statistics but the point is we don’t really have anyone on the team that scares an opposing team. Yes Billy Butler (.293/8/35) is having his best year so far in his short career but on any other team he would most likely be a nice role player.
My point is that we are still a few years away from having a realistic chance of playing with the big boys and hoping young players like Eric Hosmer ( Class A Burlington Bees) and Mike Moustakas (High Class A Wilmington Blue Rocks) help the team. We also have to hope that Trey Hillman and the coaching staff get their act together because right now the ship is sinking fast and I am not sure they have enough Mighty Putty Wood to fix the problem.
Jul/093
Happy Greinke Day
Posted by: Casey on July 8, 2009.
Not only is it a Greinke day, but it’s on a day when the Royals have a chance to win the series, let alone against a division leader. Yes, it should be a wonderful game, although Zack’s ERA is now at an even 2.00 … Hopefully it doesn’t continue to rise and he can keep it under 3.00 for the entire season, if he wants a shot at the Cy Young.
First pitch is at 6:05 central time.
Also, you should be noticing some exciting new changes happening to the site, I’ll explain everything in full detail. This is kinda a test post with my new auto-tweet thing.
Jul/098
Chen Gets Bombed, Likely Not Done In Majors Yet
Posted by: Casey on July 7, 2009.
Check out that scar.. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
There were a couple of things that really stick out in Bruce Chen’s 3rd start this season with the Royals. He had 5 walks, two of them to Adam Everett which both turned out extremely costly, and obviously the other thing that sticks out is the three homeruns he gives up in his 4 2/3 innings.
His fastball is mid-to-high 80s, with poor command. His main secondary pitch is his “changeup” which ranges from 73-83. He also mixes in the curve. You’ve got to figure the Chen experiment is over, right? Not so fast..
I love the guy. Bruce Chen has been one of my favorite figures in baseball for quite some time, for reasons unknown to me. He’s a great story, having to battle back as much as he has. I originally figured his time in Kansas City was probably over, at least in the majors, but upon more thought, I think he may just get another chance or two. His previous two starts were not nearly as bad as this one, and if you eliminate the walks and if his fastball command was there, he might just be an okay #5 in the rotation. More than anything, who would we bring up to take his spot? Ponson and Davies are the only options, and Davies hasn’t been down long enough for it to mean a lot, in my opinion. Ponson just had a great start for Omaha in his last outing, but look at his track record in the majors this year.
For those two reasons, I think he very well may be staying around for awhile. At the same time, I won’t be surprised if he’s sent out over the next few days. Nothing surprises me anymore with how DM has been running this franchise.
Jul/090
Royals Come From Behind Again, Win 3rd Straight
Posted by: Casey on July 6, 2009.
Maybe another Bloomquist isn't a bad thing? No, it is.
Mike Jacobs hits his first homerun in over a month, which proved to be the game-winner in the top of the 9th, and Soria closed the door 4-3.
May/090
Royals Lose To Tigers 8-3
Posted by: Casey on May 27, 2009.
Davies Gives Up 8 Runs (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Tigers took two out of three games in a big series between division leaders in Kansas City, which increases the Tigers lead in the AL Central to four games. None of the games of the series were close, and the Royals lose yet another series.
Rick Porcello won his first game against the Royals this year, he’s now 1-1 against KC. For a kid who’s only 20 years old, he’s definately shown his promise. He throws hard and has some nasty stuff. It’s amazing how many of the pitchers for the Tigers throw in the upper-90’s. It seemed like every reliever that came in threw hard and threw effectively. I think the Tigers have showed the Royals that they deserve to be where they are, which is in 1st place.
The Royals get a day off tomorrow, which is a much needed rest before the White Sox come in for a weekend series. Hopefully we can win that series, as the boys in blue have now lost 6 straight series (although they won 2 out of 4 against Baltimore in that stretch).
May/090
Royals Rebound Behind Zack, 6-1 over Tigers
Posted by: Casey on May 26, 2009.
Royals Beat Tigers, 6-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
It took awhile, but the Royals ended up scoring some runs. I was a little worried that perhaps the Royals would yet again not give the pitching staff some run support, but they came through in the 6th when they scored 3.
Greinke continues to give us solid innings. He gave up one run off of two fairly light hits in the first inning, then didn’t give up another run for his 5th complete game of the season.
I was very happy to see the Royals employ some small ball, some hit and runs (although they weren’t successful), some bunts and slap hits. It’s good to see the offense when they are relaxed and going with pitches, but it’s obvious that they aren’t always that way. It took a bad throw from Jackson to ignite the offense, and a very nice clutch hit from Mitch Maier. He pulled a pitch up the middle that was well outside, but it worked, and I’ll certainly take it.
The win draws the Royals back to 3 behind the Tigers in the central, and hopefully we can get out there and get within two games tomorrow in the day game.
Game notes:
- Luis Hernandez had his best game as a royal, going 1-3 and had a sac bunt which was thrown away by Jackson. I think the bunt surprised Jackson and the hustle Luis showed down the line helped matters.
- Callaspo had a very nice night defensively, making several back-handed plays, and turned a key double play on a hit-and-run.
- Coco left the game early due to his shoulder, hopefully he can get better.
- Maier replaced Coco and had a key two-run single.
- Hillman had another well-managed game.
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