Game Date: March 1, 2008
Rangers 15, Royals 7 / Box Score
Royals Spring Training Record: 1-2
Is three games a trend?
Probably not, but opponents are knocking our pitching staff all over the place. If you look at the lineup that the Rangers played yesterday, you'll be saying "who?" a lot. A lineup of mostly reserves managed to pound out 15 runs on 17 hits. The three errors that the Royals committed probably didn't help matters, and neither did Billy Butler's drop of a ball from Mark Grudzielanek that would have completed a double play and ended the third inning (the Rangers scored four runs after the drop).
Pitching wasn't much better. Zack Greinke struggled, giving up three earned runs in two innings. Carlos Rosa gave up three earned runs on six hits in two innings. And a whole host of other guys gave up one run or more. The only guy who didn't was Ron Mahay, who pitching one scoreless inning.
Things went a little better at the plate. Alex Gordon was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. Mark Teahen was 2-for-3 with an RBI. And the Royals ended up with 13 hits. Miguel Olivo got a taste of DH, and he worked out with the outfielders for the first time before the game. I can't see that situation working out well.
Kyle Davies and Brian Bannister will see action today. So will Jimmy Gobble, Leo Nunez, Joel Peralta, and Ryan Braun.
2 comments:
I was at the game Saturday and not only did Butler drop the throw on the double play, he also missed a tag on a perfect pickoff move from the pitcher. Cost = two outs.
I just don't understand why they feel the need to force the "position player" issue with him. The kid can hit and in the AL you get to have a player who only hits and doesn't play the field. What's the problem?
I don't think they are going to force Butler to play first base. Instead, they are giving him an opportunity to play it during the spring to see if he can earn the position. Teams don't like having such a young DH. But, if he doesn't earn it, you can expect Ryan Shealy and Ross Gload to share the load there during the regular season.
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