Line Up Deficiencies

I'm not sure how much more proof that Buddy Bell needs to realize that Shawn Camp is not the guy to call upon when the game is on the line, but just in case he needed one more bad outing from Camp, he got it. Maybe a simple glance at his 7.85 ERA will be the nail in the coffin the next time he thinks about bringing him in during a pressure situation.

With the score tied at 1-1 in the tenth inning, Camp walked Jason Bartlett and Michael Ryan with one out and the game was as good as over when Nick Punto plugged the gap in left center field, scoring both baserunners. The Royals were only down 3-1 at that point, but one look at their line up told you all you needed to know:

1. Guiel
2. Ambres
3. Long
4. Brown
5. Teahen (.232 average)
6. Berroa (.260 average with ZERO walks in August)
7. Buck (.220 average)
8. Hocking (.226 average)
9. McEwing (.236 average)

Stairs is hurt, but he did pinch hit. Sweeney's back is bothering him again. David DeJesus is in a sling. And as a result, Bell used a line up that has to be one of the worst in the history of the game. Can you believe that the best number five hitter we could find (Teahen) was a guy hitting .232 with 3 HR and 34 RBI? Oh, and he's struck out 85 times. And Angel Berroa hitting number 6? If ever a guy was made for the nine hole, it was Berroa.

Doesn't sound like things are going to get any better because DeJesus is probably going to be placed on the DL. And I don't expect Sweeney or Stairs to be 100% healthy for the rest of the season, but you've got to give Stairs credit—the guy still wants to play and he seems to produce irregardless of his injuries. Sweeney told Bell that he wanted to play, but Bell didn't give him the option given his repeated back problems. Probably a smart move.

So it should be quite interesting to see what sort of line up Bell comes up with tonight when Lima (5-12, 6.43) takes the mound against Carlos Silva (8-6, 3.26).