Spring Game #1

Game Date: February 25, 2009
Rangers 12, Royals 7 / Box Score
Royals Spring Training Record: 0-1

The Royals added more power during the offseason and it paid off in their first Spring Training game. Newly signed Royal Mike Jacobs hit a three-run shot. Mitch Maier, Billy Butler, and Miguel Olivo hit home runs as well. But it wasn’t enough to overcome poor defense and a bad outing by Horacio Ramirez who gave up six runs (three earned) in the first inning and was yanked before he could get out of it.

Mark Teahen struggled at second base, making two errors and a bad pivot. That’s not real surprising since he hasn’t played that position since his first year of junior college, but he’ll be leaving on Sunday to begin workouts for the World Baseball Classic. For a guy who is battling for a starting position with the Royals, I really don’t get him playing in the WBC. I’m sure it’s a thrill to play for your country, and under the right circumstances it make sense, but he’s going to need all the time he can get this spring at second to have a shot at winning the job.

The Rangers pounded out 20 hits against Royals pitching. Brandon Duckworth didn’t fare much better than Ramirez. He gave up three earned runs in 2.1 IP. And Yasuhiko Yabuta gave up one earned run on three hits in an inning.

On a positive note, the Star is reporting that the Royals signed the following players who are on their 40-man roster: RHP Henry Barrera, 3B Alex Gordon, INF Tug Hulett, 1B Kila Ka’aihue, 3B Mario Lisson, RHP Devon Lowery, SS Tony Pena, and RHP Carlos Rosa.

The Royals will play the Rangers again this afternoon.