ST Game #27

Game Date: March 26, 2008
Mariners 8, Royals 5 / Box Score
Royals Spring Training Record: 15-12

Gil Meche got knocked around in his final start of the spring. He gave up four earned runs in five innings, but even so, his ERA stands at 3.74, which is close to what it was (3.67) during the regular season last year.

At the plate, the day belonged to Jason Smith who hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning and hit another home run the old fashioned way in the seventh. Smith is hitting an uncharacteristic .349 this spring, but I can't imagine it being enough for him the make the Opening Day roster since we already have two other utility infielders in Esteban German and Alberto Callaspo who will probably make the roster. But German may have to start the year in right field, so who knows?

The Royals ended all speculation about the Opening Day rotation and announced the John Bale and Brett Tomko had officially won the fourth and fifth spots. Here are the five:

1. Gil Meche
2. Brian Bannister
3. Zack Greinke
4. John Bale
5. Brett Tomko

Dayton Moore is saying that we'll probably start the season with 11 pitchers, so who will the six relievers be? We already know that Ramon Ramirez is in. Let's also make the assumption that Joakim Soria, Jimmy Gobble, and Yasuhiko Yabuta are also in. I'm not sure how Joel Peralta could be left out given the way he pitched last season. That leaves just one spot open and I think Moore hinted at who it might be when he said that they acquired Ramirez because, "We felt we needed to acquire somebody with some power from the right side to go along with (Leo) Nunez." If all of that plays out, then Ron Mahay and Neal Musser would be the odd men out--at least to start the season.

The Royals play Texas in Surprise this afternoon. Mike Maroth is scheduled to get the start for the Royals.