Royals Win Arizona Series

The Royals took two out of three games again on the road and finished their trip through San Francisco and Arizona at 4-2. The Royals are 6-4 in their last 10 games and 8-4 since Bell took over the club. Unfortunately they dug themselves such a deep hole, that they are still eight games out of fourth place in the division. But it's nice to see them winning two road series in a row.

On Friday night in Arizona, the Royals dropped a heartbreaker in extra innings after coming all the way back from an 11-3 deficit at the end of seven innings. The Royals scattered a few hits in the eighth inning, one of which was a Gotay home run, with six walks given up by Arizona pitchers. Still down by two runs going into the ninth, Matt Stairs came up with a hit to tie the game. But as you know by now, Mike MacDougal gave up the big fly to Glaus in extra innings and the game was over.

Greinke started the game and looked awful again—giving up 11 runs. His control isn't good and he's leaving the ball up. After 13 starts, he's 1-7 with a 6.01 ERA.

Former University of Texas star J.P. Howell got the start for the Royals on Saturday. It was his major league debut and he gave up 1 run in 5 IP and struck out 8. He's worked his way through all three levels of the minor leagues (posting a combined 6-1 record with a 2.34 ERA in 12 starts) in the Royals system this season already. I'm sure that the original plan didn't include him starting games on the major league level this soon, but we had little choice with all the injuries.

Emil Brown had a big game, going 4-for-5 with 2 RBI and he made a great catch in the outfield. Graffanino, filling in for the still-injured Sweeney, came up big again hitting third, going 3-for-5 and raising his average to .307. We've got to find a way to keep this guy in the line up when Sweeney comes back.

In shades of 2003, MacDougal made things interesting at the end, but eventually closed the door on an Arizona comeback. Affeldt pitched 2/3 of an inning of scoreless ball in front of MacDougal and you have to wonder if it isn't time to give Affeldt the closer's role permanently. His velocity is good. His ERA is 3.12. He's healthy. And he looks confident.

Howell picked up the win as the Royals defeated Arizona 8-5.

The Royals won a bizarre game yesterday 9-4 in 12 innings. After nine, the score was tied at one. But then the Royals took a one run lead in the tenth, only to lose it in the bottom half of the inning. They took another one run lead in the eleventh, and lost it as well. Finally, in the twelfth, they scored 6 runs and put the game away.

D. J. Carrasco got the start, and once again, was outstanding. He gave up 1 run in 6 IP to lower his ERA to 2.33. He's proving to be the only stabilizing force in the rotation right now.

Emil Brown had two more hits. Mark Teahen was 3-for-6. And Tony Graffanino was 3-for-3, raising his average to .321.

The Royals get the day off today. Tomorrow, they open a new series at home against the Dodgers. Runelvys Hernandez (3-7, 5.03) goes against familiar foe Jeff Weaver (6-5, 5.27).