ST Game #10

Game Date: March 8, 2008
Brewers 8, Royals 2 / Box Score
Royals Spring Training Record: 5-5

For the second straight day, Royals' pitchers were roughed up by the opposition. John Bale, who has been good up until this point, didn't look quite so good this afternoon. He gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk in four innings of work. Bale is still in the running for the number five spot in the rotation. He lost twenty pounds during the offseason hoping to come into camp and win a spot in the rotation. Even after his outing today, his ERA is just 4.00, so I'm sure he's still in the running. 

The AP reported a funny incident from the game in which Billy Butler "ran over Royals starter John Bale while trying to cover second base." I need to see the video of this play. I'm having a hard time imagining Butler covering second. The guy continues to hit like a madman though. He was 2-for-2 with a walk today and raised his average this spring to .435. Alberto Callaspo was 2-for-2 with a walk and looks to be the real deal, but this is still spring. Let's see if he can do it during the regular season.

I was interested to see who the backups were today. Mitch Maier took over for Joey Gathright in center and went 0-for-1. He's hitting just .118. Angel Berroa took over for Callaspo at second base (why?) and he too went 0-for-1. He's hitting a Berroa-like .200. Mike Stodolka, the former first round pick of the Royals in the 2000 draft who started his career as a pitcher and after having little success (and Tommy John surgery) there he became a first baseman (a position he also played in high school), came in for Billy Butler and went 1-for-1. Just Huber came in for Mark Teahen in left field and was 0-for-1. And Mike Aviles came in and played third late in the game and went 1-for-1. Lots of interesting names in that group of players.

Tomorrow in Surprise, Brett Tomko will go up against Ryan Dempster for the Cubs.