Royals Win Series Against the Rays

Zack Greinke had another outstanding performance this afternoon, going 6 1/3 innings, giving up 1 ER and striking out 7, but he left the game tied at 1-1. Alberto Castillo drove in two runs with a triple in the seventh inning and then Castillo came home on a balk to put the Royals up 4-1. The Rays fought back, but fell short by one run.

Greinke is still winless, but more importantly, the Royals won the series 3-1. The line up this afternoon looked Triple-A-ish, but a couple of guys stepped up and made big plays. Tony Graffanino hit in the three hole, which seems a bit odd, but he came through big time, getting hits in his first three AB's. Graff also made some good plays at first base for the second game in a row.

Notes:

• Angel Berroa scored the Royals first run with an inside the park home run in the third inning...
• Mark Teahen was 2-for-3...
• Mike MacDougal looked strong again in relief, going 1 1/3 innings, giving up 0 R, 0 BB, 0 H—lowering his ERA to 4.08...
• Ambiorix Burgos struggled again trying to close the game out and had to be lifted after 2/3 of an inning…he gave up 2 ER today to bring his ERA to 8.31...
• Zack Greinke lowered his ERA to 3.09 and still doesn't have a win to show for it…in his 8 starts this season, the Royals have scored just 4 runs while he's been on the mound…
• Denny Bautista was put on the 15-day DL and Matt Diaz was called up to replace Bautista on the roster…the Royals have so many position players hurt but not on the DL that they need to go with 10 pitchers and carry an extra position player for a week or so…

The Royals have an off day tomorrow. I'll post my brief interview with Allard Baird here tomorrow evening.

On Tuesday night, the Royals open a new series with the Orioles at home. Jose Lima (0-3, 6.85) goes against Sidney Ponson (5-1, 4.93).