Spring Game #8

Game Date: March 4, 2009
Rangers 5, Royals 2 / Box Score
Royals Spring Training Record: 3-3-2

Luke Hochevar and Brian Bannister continued their battle yesterday for what appears to be the one remaining spot in the rotation. Bannister got the start and fell behind too many hitters. Eventually it cost him two earned runs in three innings of work. Hochevar was sharp, giving up no runs on two hits while striking out two. Both guys have an ERA of 3.60 right now. As they begin to go longer in games this spring, one will probably separate himself from the other. Although if they stay close statistically, it’ll be interesting to see what Hillman decides as they break camp.

Alex Gordon hit a solo home run in the 7th inning; his second home run of the spring. Coco Crisp was 2-for-3 with an RBI at the top of the order. Derrick Robinson was 1-for-1 with a run scored. But after that, the Royals didn’t do much at the plate. They managed just six hits against Rangers pitching. In spite of that, the game was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning when Dan Cortes gave up a three-run home run to Justin Smoak to give the Rangers a 5-2 lead.

The Royals are off today. On Friday they’ll go up against the Rangers again. Gil Meche is scheduled to pitch in a “B” game Friday morning.