Game 14

Game Date: April 15, 2008
Mariners 11, Royals 6 / Box Score
WP: Batista (1-2), LP: Bale (0-3)  
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 8-6

Let's hope the Royals forgot this one as soon as they headed for Los Angeles after the game.

John Bale complained about a dead arm after the game and I don't think anybody would argue. He left way too many pitches up in the zone and he didn't have anything on them. The Mariners tagged him for five earned runs on seven hits and a walk in just three innings. Even then, the Royals clawed their way back in the fourth inning, scoring three runs, but Hideo Nomo came in for Bale to start the fourth and he picked up where Bale left off, giving up four earned runs in an inning of work. The Royals scored two more in the sixth, but by then the game was out of hand.

You have to believe that Bale is on a short leash at this point and with his talk of having a dead arm, perhaps it's time to start looking at alternatives. Luke Hochevar is 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in three starts in Omaha. Jorge De La Rosa is 1-0 in two starts in Omaha with a 1.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. And Kyle Davies is 1-0 in Omaha with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. I wouldn't mind seeing Hochevar get a shot. I guess Davies would be okay, but I'm not convinced that De La Rosa is a major league quality pitcher at this point in his career. I'd like to see him stay in Omaha most of the season.

And what about Nomo? He's only had two appearances from the bullpen, but neither has been good. How long will the Royals give him to adjust to life as a reliever? We'll see.

It's nice to see David DeJesus getting on track after missing so much time. He was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a BB. Mark Grudzielanek is on a tear. He was 3-for-5. Tony Pena had a rather bizarre at bat in the fourth inning with the Royals down 4-3. They had runners at the corners and one out. Pena failed to get a bunt down (again) on the first pitch he saw. On the third pitch, he swung and missed on a hit and run, leaving John Buck hanging out to dry at second. Finally, Pena reached on an infield single to the left side, which drove in Ross Gload to tie the game 4-4.

The Royals begin a new series tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Gil Meche (0-2, 7.13) will go up against Jered Weaver (1-2, 3.79). Meche is 7-2 in his career against the Angels with a 5.13 ERA in 100.0 IP. Weaver is 2-2 in his career against the Royals with a 1.69 ERA in 26.2 IP.