Spring Game #4

Game Date: February 28, 2009
Royals 2, Padres 2 / Box Score
Royals Spring Training Record: 2-1-1

So, what has gotten into Ross Gload? First he hits a three-run triple in the second game of the spring, now he goes 2-for-2 with a home run to bring his average this spring to .500. He also had an assist from left field. He doesn’t stand a chance of earning a starting position, but he’s playing hard anyway. I like that about him.

And how about Brian Bannister? In his first outing of the spring, he threw two hitless, scoreless innings. According to an article that Joe Posnanski wrote for the Star, Banny spent quite a bit of time during the offseason analyzing his delivery and he believes that he was tipping off his pitches, so he made some adjustments. Who among doesn’t want to believe that 2008 was just a fluke and that the Bannister of 2009 is going to look more like the Bannister of 2007?

Luke Hochevar didn’t fare nearly as well as Bannister. He gave up two earned runs in two innings. Depending upon what Horacio Ramirez does this spring, Hochevar could be battling Bannister for the final spot in the starting rotation, so Hochevar can’t afford too many poor outings.

Did you notice what Coco Crisp did at the top of the lineup? He walked three times. When is the last time you saw that from a Royals leadoff hitter? The Royals only drew four walks for the game (Mark Teahen had the other one).

Jose Guillen hit his first home run of the spring. Teahen tripled. But the Royals couldn’t get enough offense going to win the game. It ended in a 2-2 tie after 10 innings.

This afternoon, Gil Meche is making his first start of the spring when the Royals take on the Angels in Tempe. Brandon Duckworth, Henry Barrera, Tim Hamulack, Carlos Rosa, Joel Peralta, and Roman Colon are also expected to pitch.