Keppinger's Blow Wins the Game

Game Date: September 9, 2006
Game Score: Royals 10, Red Sox 4 / Box Score
WP: Nelson (1–1), LP: Breslow (0–1)
Royal Home Runs: Keppinger (1)
Royals Record: 54-89

Nice to see that our pitching staff isn’t the only one having problems. For the second straight night, the Royals scored ten runs against the Red Sox staff. The big blow came in the top of the twelfth inning when Manny Delcarmen came into the game after David DeJesus doubled to lead off the inning.

After getting Esteban German to pop out, the Red Sox intentionally walked Mark Grudzielanek—and the Royals made them pay by pulling off a successful double steal. Jeff Keppinger tried to hit a fly ball deep enough to score DeJesus from third, but the ball drifted out of the ball park down the right field line to give the Royals a 7–4 lead. Later in the inning, Andres Blanco doubled in three runs to blow the game open.

Luke Hudson wasn’t exactly sharp—he gave up four runs and five walks in 6. 1 innings, but he kept the Royals in the game and gave us a chance to win. That’s all we can really ask for. Then, with the exception of Ryan Braun, our bullpen finally did the job for Hudson. Joel Peralta, Andrew Sisco, Joe Nelson, and Ambiorix Burgos held the Sox scoreless (although Burgos made things “interesting” again by giving up two hits in the bottom of the twelfth).

This afternoon, the Royals have a chance to sweep the Red Sox again. Mark Redman (9–8, 5.26) will go against Julian Tavarez (2–4, 4.72). Redman is 1–8 against the Red Sox in his career with a 8.00 ERA. Tavarez is 2–1 against the Royals with a 5.95 ERA.

Technorati Tags: KC Royals, Royals, Jeff Keppinger, David DeJesus, Luke Hudson, Andres Blanco

Royals Win Ugly

Game Date: September 8, 2006
Game Score: Royals 10, Red Sox 9 / Box Score
WP: Burgos (4–5), LP: Timlin (6–5), SV: Nelson (6)
Royal Home Runs: Sweeney (6)
Royals Record: 53-89

The Royals finally won an ugly game—even after their bullpen tried to give another one away by giving up six runs in the eight inning. Can someone please tell me what Scott Dohmann is doing in the major leagues with an 8.40 ERA? He was one of the relief pitchers who gave up three runs in the eight. Joel Peralta came in behind him and did the same thing. And the Royals went from leading 8–3, to being behind 9–8.

The Red Sox brought in Mike Timlin to save the game in the ninth. Emil Brown singled to lead off the inning. Ryan Shealy was hit by a pitch. And Andres Blanco got down a sacrifice bunt with two strikes. Not the best bunt in the world, but it moved both runners. Unfortunately, Shane Costa struck out and that put the pressure on, of all people, Joey Gathright to get a two-out hit. He came through and doubled to right field. Brown and Shealy scored to recapture the lead, 10–9. Joe Nelson did his job and the Royals beat the Red Sox again.

To Gathright’s credit, he saw that Timlin was throwing cutters to Costa and he was expecting more of the same in his at bat. He swung at the first pitch and won the ball game. Besides Gathright (who was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI), several other Royals’ hitters had big nights. Esteban German was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Mark Grudzielanek was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Mike Sweeney was 3-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBI. And Brown and Buck both had two hits.

Angel Berroa had two more errors to give him 18 for the season. I think that pretty much locks up the fact that he’s going to have more errors than walks (12) for the season. Throw in his .230 batting average and you probably have the worst all-around starting shortstop in baseball. I’m hoping that we’re giving Blanco a serious look right now because I’d hate to think that Berroa is going to be our starting shortstop in 2007.

Tonight, Luke Hudson (7–5, 5.21) goes against Josh Beckett (14–10, 5.11). Hudson is 1–1 in his career against the Red Sox with a 4.67 ERA. Beckett is 1–0 against the Royals with a 1.29 ERA.

Technorati Tags: KC Royals, Royals, Joey Gathright, Mike Sweeney, Scott Dohmann, , Joe Nelson, Andres Blanco, Angel Berroa

Minor League Players of the Year

The Royals just announced their minor league players of the year.

Triple-A Omaha:

• Player: Shane Costa (10 HR, 30 RBI, .342 average)
• Pitcher: Joe Nelson (2–2, 1.97 ERA)

Double-A Wichita:

• Player: Alex Gordon (29 HR, 100 RBI, .325 average)
• Pitcher: Zack Greinke (8-3, 4.34 ERA)

Single-A High Desert:

• Player: Irving Falu (3 HR, 49 RBI, .299 average)
• Pitcher: Jarod Plummer (11-5, 4.05 ERA)

Single-A Burlington:

• Player: Mario Lisson (13 HR, 73 RBI, .263 average)
• Pitcher: Carlos Rosa (8-6, 2.53 ERA)

Idaho Falls:

• Player: Marc Maddox (3 HR, 38 RBI, .332 average)
• Pitcher: Rowdy Hardy (5-3, 2.91 ERA)

Rookie Ball (Arizona):

• Player: Nick Van Stratten (3 HR, 35 RBI, .292 average)
• Pitcher: Brent Fisher (3-1, 2.11 ERA)

Summer Dominican:

• Player: Diego Cruz (0 HR, 40 RBI, .330 average)
• Pitcher: Eduardo Paulino (9-1, 1.55 ERA)

Technorati Tags: KC Royals, Royals, Omaha Royals, Wichita Wranglers, High Desert Mavericks, Idaho Falls Chuckars, Shane Costa, Joe Nelson, Alex Gordon, Zack Greinke

Johnson Too Tough

Game Date: September 6, 2006
Game Score: Yankees 8, Royals 3 / Box Score
WP: Johnson (16–10), LP: Hernandez (5–9)
Royal Home Runs: German (3)
Royals Record: 52-89

Randy Johnson turned back the clock last night—or at least he made it look like he did. His slider had the same bite that used to strike fear in hitters. And he threw it often. It was a tad bit slower than it used to be, but the Royals still couldn’t do anything with it, and after six innings Johnson had a no-hitter. David DeJesus stayed with a pitch to lead off the seventh inning and he lined it into left center field for a triple.

Runelvys Hernandez looked the the Hernandez we’re accustomed to—the Hernandez who gives up five earned runs, three walks and a home run in six innings. And unfortunately, Jose Diaz (acquired in the Matt Stairs trade with Texas), looked equally as bad. He made his major league debut in the eighth inning and promptly gave up a double to Andy Phillips, a walk to Alex Rodriguez, a home run to Jorge Posada, and a single to Robinson Cano. Diaz eventually found a way to stop the bleeding.

The Royals didn’t get on the board until the eighth inning with John Buck singled in Shane Costa with one out. Then in the ninth, with the game well out of hand, Esteban German hit a two-run home run with one out.

Jeff Keppinger got the start at third base in Mark Teahen’s absence. Sounds like Keppinger and German will spit time at third for the rest of the season.

The Royals are off today. They’ll begin a new series in Boston tomorrow. Odalis Perez (1–3, 5.85) will go against Kevin Jarvis (0–1, 3.60). Perez is 0–1 in his career against the Red Sox with a 3.46 ERA. Jarvis is 0–1 against the Royals with a 3.00 ERA.

Technorati Tags: KC Royals, Royals, Randy Johnson, Runelvys Hernandez, David DeJesus, Esteban German, Jeff Keppinger, Jose Diaz

Teahen to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

News about Mark Teahen needing to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery bummed me out. He has a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will have surgery Friday. According to this article, Alex Gordon will not be called up to take Teahen’s place. If I had to guess, I’d say that Esteban German will probably finish out the season at third base.

Teahen’s turnaround this season has been incredible. He currently leads the Royals with 18 HR and he’s second on the team in RBI (69) and runs scored (70). He’s also hitting .293 and has a .360 on-base percentage. The season only has a few weeks left, but I still wanted to see Mark stay in the line up and play the rest of the season out because he’s been so much fun to watch. But with such an injury, it’s better to get it taken care of now.

Technorati Tags: KC Royals, Royals, Mark Teahen

Royals Even the Series

Game Date: September 5, 2006
Game Score: Royals 5, Yankees 0 / Box Score
WP: De La Rosa (2–2), LP: Mussina (13–6), SV: Wellemeyer (1)
Royal Home Runs: Brown (13)
Royals Record: 52-88

That’s how you put a horrible loss behind you. You shutout a first place team. De La Rosa was solid for 5.2 innings. He scattered six hits and walked two guys, but he didn’t allow any runs. Unfortunately, he developed a blister on his middle finger on his left hand and he had to be removed from the game. It looked pretty nasty on television. Hopefully he’ll be able to make his next start, but I’m not real confident that will happen.

Todd Wellemeyer earned a save the old fashioned way—by pitching 3.1 innings. And he kept the shutout intact. He stumbled a little in the ninth inning by allowing the evil Yankees to load the bases, but he got out of it, and the Royals tied the series.

The Royals didn’t need a lot of offense to win this one. They took an early lead in the second inning when Mike Sweeney doubled with two outs to drive in Mark Grudzielanek. They had a chance to blow the game open in the fourth inning after the first three guys reached base, but John Buck hit into a double play. Emil Brown scored on the play though and the Royals were up 2–0. Then Andres Blanco singled to score Ryan Shealy and the Royals were up 3–0. Emil Brown hammered a pitch out of the park that Mike Mussina left up and in, and in so doing, he knocked Mussina out of the game.

Hopefully the Royals can find a way to win tonight and take their third straight series from a playoff contending team. Runelvys Hernandez (5–8, 6.31) goes against Randy Johnson (15–10, 4.94). Hernandez is 1–1 in his career against the evil Yankees with a 9.45 ERA. Johnson is 14–7 against the Royals with a 3.04 ERA.

Technorati Tags: KC Royals, Royals, Jorge De La Rosa, Mike Sweeney, Todd Wellemeyer, Emil Brown, Andres Blanco

Bullpen Implodes

Game Date: September 4, 2006
Game Score: Yankees 12, Royals 5 / Box Score
WP: Beam (2–0), LP: Dohmann (1–2)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 51-88

So, Luke Hudson shuts down the evil Yankees for seven complete innings—giving up just one earned run, while striking out ten. And he leaves the game with the Royals winning 5–1. But our disaster that is our bullpen gave up ten earned runs in the eighth inning. Ten.

Jimmy Gobble was awful. He gave up four earned runs without getting an out. Scott Dohmann was bad. He gave up a walk and and earned run without recording an out. Andrew Sisco was horrible. He gave up three earned runs, but at least he got two outs. And Ambiorix Burgos was his normal home-run giving self. He gave up three earned runs, including a two run bomb by Jorge Posada.

The evil Yankees added an “insurance” run in the top of the ninth just to make the loss taste even a little more bitter.

Our problems with the bullpen are twofold. First, they are overworked because our starting pitching has been so bad. But it hasn’t been as bad in the past three or four weeks. They ought to be pretty well rested. The other reason isn’t quite so pleasant. With three exceptions, our bullpen is just plain bad. Maybe the worst ever. Peralta (4.36 ERA), Wellemeyer (3.98 ERA), and Joe Nelson (4.13) have all been mediocre. The rest have been beyond horrible:

• Jimmy Gobble (3–5, 5.00 ERA)
• Mike Wood (3–3, 5.66 ERA)
• Andrew Sisco (1–3, 7.71)
• Scott Dohmann (1–2, 7.24)

Out of the seven guys in our pen (not including Ryan Braun who was recently called up), our best ERA is 3.98. Wow.

Tonight, Jorge De La Rosa (1–2, 6.75) goes against Mike Mussina (13–5, 3.61). De La Rosa is 0–0 with a 13.50 ERA in his career against the evil Yankees. Mussina is 15–6 with a 2.92 ERA against the Royals.

Technorati Tags: Luke Hudson, KC Royals, Royals, Jimmy Gobble, Scott Dohmann, Jorge Posada, Joel Peralta, Todd Wellemeyer, Joe Nelson, Mike Wood, Andrew Sisco

Royals Win Series with White Sox

Game Date: September 3, 2006
Game Score: Royals 7, White Sox 3 / Box Score
WP: Redman (9–8), LP: Garcia (13–9)
Royal Home Runs: Shealy (4), Berroa (8)
Royals Record: 51-87

With the win against the White Sox yesterday, the Royals have won their last two series—both of which where against teams in contention for the playoffs. Don’t look now, but here come the evil Yankees. Wouldn’t it be nice to win that series as well?

Mark Redman showcased his cutter yesterday afternoon and for the second consectutive time, he shut a good team down. This time he gave up just one earned run on four hits in seven innings. He also struck out six and walked four.

The offense did its job as well. Ryan Shealy led the charge by going 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI. And Angel Berroa was 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Tonight, Luke Hudson (7–5, 5.60) goes against Chien-Ming Wang (16–5, 3.66). Hudson is 0–0 against the evil Yankees in his career with a 6.75 ERA. Wang is 1–0 against the Royals with a 6.23 ERA.

Technorati Tags: Mark Redman, KC Royals, Royals, Ryan Shealy, Angel Berroa, Chicago White Sox

Lost Ball Leads to Loss

Game Date: September 2, 2006
Game Score: White Sox 5, Royals 3 / Box Score
WP: Buehrle (12–11), LP: Perez (1–3), SV: Jenks (39)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 50-87

With the score tied 3–3 in the seventh inning, Tadahito Iguchi his a fly ball to center with two outs and a guy on second. Joey Gathright, who was just inserted into the game for “defensive purposes,” lost the ball in the “twilight” and the White Sox scored the winning run. It was sort of symbolic of the way our season has gone.

Odalis Perez wasn't exactly sharp, but he kept the Royals in the game until the mishap by Gathright. Afterward, he said that he didn’t blame his teammates for the loss because they often pick him up. For a guy who has exhibited an attitude problem in the past, this was nice to hear.

The middle of our line up had quite a night. Mark Grudzielanek was 2-for-4, Mark Teahen was 2-for-4. Mike Sweeney was 3-for-4 with an RBI. And Emil Brown was 2-for-4 with an RBI. But it wasn’t enough to put us over the top.

This afternoon, Mark Redman (8–8, 5.47) goes against Freddy Garcia (13–8, 5.05). Redman is 3–4 in his career against the White Sox with a 5.59 ERA. Garcia is 8–8 against the Royals with a 5.61 ERA.

Technorati Tags: Odalis Perez, KC Royals, Royals, Joey Gathright, Chicago White Sox

Royals Hold On to Defeat White Sox

Game Date: September 1, 2006
Game Score: Royals 7, White Sox 5 / Box Score
WP: Hernandez (5–8), LP: Contreras (11–7), SV: Nelson (5)
Royal Home Runs: Teahen (18)
Royals Record: 50-86

Fifty wins is hardly a reason to celebrate—unless of course you wanted to show up the many naysayers who thought that your team might not even hit forty earlier in the season. Remember that? The Royals were being compared to the 1962 New York Mets—a team that went 40–162. We’ve hardly turned the corner, but given that we are 11–5 in the last month against teams in playoff contention, maybe we have reason to be optimistic. But, getting better for the long haul still comes down to consistent pitching.

For only the second time in 16 starts, Runelvys Hernandez has strung two good starts back to back. Following up with his shutout in Toronto last Saturday, Hernandez shut down the White Sox last night—giving up one earned run on five hits in six innings. Unfortunately, now that Hernandez appears to be getting on track, Jimmy Gobble is struggling in relief. Last night, after Hernandez left with a 7–1 lead, Gobble gave up three earned runs in 1.1 innings. Joe Nelson didn’t look good either as he attempted to close out the game. He walked three guys before finally nailing down the save. But at least he isn’t continually blowing games like Burgos was.

The Royals took advantage of three errors by the White Sox in the fourth inning and they jumped out to a 7–0 lead. David DeJesus was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. Mark Teahen was 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI. And Ryan Shealy was 2-for-4.

With only 26 games remaining in the season, many of which are against playoff contending teams, I’d like to see the Royals find a way to get to 60 wins. They’d only have to .384 ball (10–16) the rest of the season to pull it off. They are 19–30 since the break (.387), so 60 wins seems realistic. And 60 doesn’t sound nearly as bad as 58 or 59.

Tonight, Odalis Perez (1–2, 5.73) goes against Mark Buehrle (11–11, 4.71). Perez is 0–2 in his career against the White Sox with a 6.75 ERA. Buehrle is 14–6 with a 3.22 against the Royals.

Technorati Tags: Runelvys Hernandez, KC Royals, Royals, Mark Teahen, Chicago White Sox, Jimmy Gobble, Jose Contreras

Santana Strikes Out 11 in Win

Game Date: August 31, 2006
Game Score: Twins 3, Royals 1 / Box Score
WP: De La Rosa (1–2), LP: Santana (16–5), SV: Nathan (28)
Royal Home Runs: German (2)
Royals Record: 49-86

Jorge De La Rosa wasn’t bad in Minnesota this afternoon. He gave up two earned runs on six hits in five innings of work. But, as has often been the case for our pitchers this year, walks did him in. With the game tied 1–1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, De La Rosa gave up a lead off single to Mike Redmond, and then he walked Michael Cuddyer and then Justin Moureau. Joel Peralta came into the game and got Torii Hunter to ground into a double play, but Redmond still scored on the play, and it turned out to be the winning run.

Royals’ hitters couldn’t get anything going at the plate against Johan Santana. Santana only gave up one earned run on five hits in seven innings. He struck out eleven. We aren’t the first team Santana has dominated, and we won’t be the last.

The level of competition won’t get any easier for the Royals. Tomorrow night, we begin a new series against the White Sox. After they leave town, we’ll face the evil Yankees at home. And then we travel to Boston for three against the Red Sox.

Tomorrow night, Runelvys Hernandez (4–8, 6.67) goes against Jose Contreras (11–6, 4.26). Hernandez is 3–6 in his career against the White Sox with a 7.08 ERA. Contreras is 7–1 against the Royals with a 2.91 ERA.

Technorati Tags: Jorge De La Rosa, KC Royals, Royals, Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins, Johan Santana

Royals Extend Contract with Omaha

Growing up in Omaha, the Omaha Royals have always been part of my life. My mom used to take my sister and I to games. I went to games with various civic groups, like the Cub Scouts, and I’ve gone to many games with friends. Since I’ve been a Kansas City fan all this time, the association that Omaha has with Kansas City has been perfect. I’ve been able to see up and coming talent for the past several decades before guys actually play in Kansas City.

That’s why I was so glad to see this story: Omaha Partnership with KC Extended Through 2008. The article includes the following cool piece of information: “Omaha has been the top-level farm club for Kansas City ever since the Royals entered the American League as an expansion franchise in the 1969 season. The partnership, which will reach 40 years at the end of the new PDC extension, is tied for the second-longest affiliation at the Triple-A level and is tied for the fourth-longest in all of Minor League Baseball.”

Technorati Tags: Omaha Royals, KC Royals, Royals, Omaha

Hudson Outduels Bonser

Game Date: August 30, 2006
Game Score: Royals 4, Twins 3 / Box Score
WP: Hudson (7–5), LP: Bonser (3–5), SV: Nelson (4)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 49-85

For the third time in four games, a Royals’ starter has done what he is is supposed to do. Keep the Royals in the game, eat up innings, and even shut down the opposition once in a while. Tonight, Luke Hudson pitched seven strong innings. He gave up two earned runs, five hits, one walk, and a home run (a two-run shot by Michael Cuddyer in the third inning). Afterward, he said he didn’t have his best stuff, but he kept battling. Gobble pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Nelson gave up a solo home run (to Cuddyer again) in the bottom of the ninth, but he shook it off and closed the door on the Twins.

Boof Bonser had great stuff—striking out eight Royals in 5.1, but the Royals finally broke through in the sixth inning. David DeJesus singled to lead off the inning. Mark Grudzielanek hit a ground-rule double. After Mark Teahen struck out, Mike Sweeney singled—driving in DeJesus and Grudzielanek. Emil Brown knocked Bonser from the game with a single. Jesse Crain entered the game and Ryan Shealy greeted him with a single to left that scored Mike Sweeney. The Royals scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Andes Blanco singled in Ryan Shealy. Good thing they scored the extra run.

So, the Royals go for the sweep in Minnesota tomorrow afternoon. They've already won the series—the first time the Royals have won a series in Minnesota since August 2000. The Royals will send Jorge De La Rosa (1–1, 7.48) against Johan Santana (9–3, 3.86). De La Rosa is 0–1 with a 11.57 ERA against the Twins in his career. Santana is 9–3 with a 3.86 ERA against the Royals.

The Royals have had Santana on the ropes the last two times they faced him. First, on July 3 in Kansas City, they scored five runs (four earned) on six hits, but the Twins erupted for three runs in the eighth inning to take it away from us. Then, on August 4 in Kansas City, the Royals scored four earned runs on four hits in six innings off of Santana, but Burgos gave up two runs in the ninth to blow the save (what’s new?) and Dohmann gave up three runs in the tenth, and the Twins took another one away from us.

Hopefully tomorrow is a different story.

Technorati Tags: Luke Hudson, KC Royals, Royals, Mike Sweeney, Minnesota Twins, Boof Bonser, David DeJesus, Mark Grudzielanek, Ryan Shealy, Andres Blanco, Jimmy Gobble, Johan Santana, Joe Nelson

Gordon Named Texas League Player of the Year

Alex Gordon is living up to the hype—at least at the Double-A level. His .325 average, 29 HR, and 96 RBI won him the honor of being named the Texas League Player of the Year. Only one other Royals player has ever won the award—Johnny Damon (in 1995).

Technorati Tags: Alex Gordon, KC Royals, Royals

Redman Shutsout the Twins

Game Date: August 29, 2006
Game Score: Royals 2, Twins 0 / Box Score
WP: Redman (8–8), LP: Garza (1–3)
Royal Home Runs: None
Royals Record: 48-85

Bob McClure taught Mark Redman how to throw a cutter (“like a football”) about four weeks ago, and Redman used it to his advantage against the Twins last night. Rather than setting up his change up with his normally sub-par fastball, he set it up with a the cutter and it was quite effective. The Twins never could figure him out. He pitched a complete game shutout—giving up only five hits, walking zero, and striking out three. His ERA is still 5.47, but it was 5.85 before the game. Maybe his new pitch will lead him to respectable numbers before the season is finished.

Our two runs came off the bat of unlikely sources. In the fifth inning, John Buck doubled in Emil Brown to give the Royals a 1–0 lead. Andres Blanco followed Buck with a sacrifice ground out to second that scored Ryan Shealy. Royal hitters were just 7-for-33 on the night, but with Redman pitching so well, that’s all we needed to pick up the win.

According to this article on the Royals website, the Royals have won nine of their last thirteen games against first and second place teams. And then we have this tidbit from an article in the Star this morning: “The last time the Royals had two complete-game shutouts on the same road trip was in 1994–when David Cone got both of them, a four-hitter at Seattle and a one-hitter at California.”

That seems so long ago, doesn’t it?

The Royals send Luke Hudson (6–5, 5.94) against Boof Bonser (3–4, 5.18) tonight in Minnesota. Hudson is 0–1 in his career against the Twins with a 13.50 ERA. Bonser is 0–1 against the Royals with a 12.00 ERA.

Technorati Tags: Mark Redman, KC Royals, Royals, John Buck, Andres Blanco