Texas Rangers @ Kansas City Royals Game Thread (7/29)

[alnorth]

<table border=3 cellpadding = 4>
<tr>
<td>Final</td> <td> 1 </td> <td> 2 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 4 </td><td> 5 </td><td> 6 </td><td> 7 </td><td> 8 </td><td> 9 </td><td> R </td><td> H </td><td> E </td></tr>
<tr> <td>TEX (46-59)</td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 5 </td><td> 0 </td></tr>
<tr> <td>KC (47-57)</td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 4 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 2 </td><td> 4 </td><td> 0 </td><td> X </td><td> 10 </td><td> 14 </td><td> 0 </td></tr>
</table>

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/mlb/teams/1/80x60/tex.gif

Loss, (5-9) Kameron Loe 5.1IP 6R 6ER 3BB 2K
Ron Mahay 1IP 3R 3ER 1BB 0K
Scott Feldman 1.2IP 1R 1ER 2BB 0K

VS.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/mlb/teams/1/80x60/kan.gif

Win, (1-0) Leo Nunez 6IP 0R 0ER 1BB 1K
Save, (1) Joel Peralta 3IP 0R 0ER 0BB 1K

Starting Lineups

TEX

1. Frank Catalanotto, DH
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. Nelson Cruz, RF
6. Brad Wilkerson, LF
7. Gerald Laird, C
8. Ramon Vazquez, 2B
9. Travis Metcalf, 3B

KC

1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Esteban German, 2B
3. Alex Gordon, 3B
3. Jason Smith, ph/3B
4. Billy Butler, DH
5. Ross Gload, 1B
6. Mark Teahen, RF
7. Reggie Sanders, LF
7. Emil Brown, LF
8. Tony Pena Jr, SS
9. Jason LaRue, C

[shrek6849]

Currently 12-10 in July.

Need to win just 1 out of the next 3 to have two winning months in a row.

13 of the 22 games they have played in July so far have been against Cleveland, Detroit, Boston, and New York. Not bad at all.

[SCTrojan]

They've rebounded pretty nicely from those first three ugly games of the homestand. It's good to see them a bit more consistent than years past.

[Chiefspants]

Go Royals!

[alnorth]

Lineups posted, Teahen and Gordon switch places, a couple guys get a break, and our automatic out is batting 9th

[milkman]

Lineups posted, Teahen and Gordon switch places, a couple guys get a break, and our automatic out is batting 9th

What are Gordon's stats this season to this point now?

[SithCeNtZ]

What are Gordon's stats this season to this point now?

.245/.324/.383 7 HR 35 RBI.

It's a strange move by Bell, as Gordon has had most of his success at the 7 spot batting .284/.389/.494 on the season while batting .247/.309/.383 at the 5 spot. He seems to be doing better when the pressure is off, so I don't understand the decision to throw the pressure right back on him.

[ChiTown]

What are Gordon's stats this season to this point now?

.245 BA
7 HRs
35 RBI

Swinging the bat much better over the last 6-8 weeks.

[shakesthecat]

and our automatic out is batting 9th

I sure would hate to see Buck to get in a groove after getting 3 hits last night.

LaRue should have been sent packing with Elarton.

[Silock]

Is this going to be televised?

[alnorth]

Top 1st

Catalanotto flies out to center
Young grounds out to third
Teixeira fouls out to catcher

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 1st

DeJesus flies out to left
German grounds out to shortstop
Gordon grounds out to first 3-1

0 runs, 0 hits

[Silock]

Gordon batting 3rd and Butler 4th is interesting. I hope it works out.

[alnorth]

Top 2nd

Byrd flies out to center
Cruz pops out to second
Wilkerson grounds out to first 3-1

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 2nd

Butler flies out to right
Gload hits an infield double to second
Teahen doubles to left, Gload scores
Sanders walks
Pena Jr doubles to center, Sanders and Teahen scores
LaRue flies out to left
DeJesus doubles to right, Pena Jr scores
German lines out to first

4 runs, 4 hits

[alnorth]

Leo's not playing around, he's throwing strikes today.

[milkman]

.245/.324/.383 7 HR 35 RBI.

It's a strange move by Bell, as Gordon has had most of his success at the 7 spot batting .284/.389/.494 on the season while batting .247/.309/.383 at the 5 spot. He seems to be doing better when the pressure is off, so I don't understand the decision to throw the pressure right back on him.

Maybe Bell feels that with some success now, Gordon has gained the needed confidence to move him up in the order.

[alnorth]

How do you award a double without an error on a ball that doesnt leave the infield dirt?

No one's that fast, if a guy reaches second on a ball that doesnt leave the infield, someone screwed up.

[SPchief]

3 hits in a row. 3-0 good guys.

[alnorth]

Top 3rd

Laird singles to right
Vazquez flies out to center
Metcalf flies out to center
Catalanotto flies out to center

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 3rd

Gordon grounds out to first
Butler flies out to center
Gload singles to right
Teahen grounds out to shortstop

0 runs, 1 hit

[Dartgod]

How do you award a double without an error on a ball that doesnt leave the infield dirt?

No one's that fast, if a guy reaches second on a ball that doesnt leave the infield, someone screwed up.
That was clearly an error on the 2nd baseman. Give Gload the infield single, but he reached second on the error.

[alnorth]

At this rate, the batboy looks like he's cruising to a complete game shutout

[shrek6849]

Does Paul Splittorff put anyone else to sleep? He has the personality of a buzzard's crotch.

[alnorth]

Top 4th

Young lines out to second
Teixeira strikes out (swinging)
Byrd flies out to right

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 4th

Sanders grounds out to second
Pena Jr grounds out to third
LaRue walks
DeJesus strikes out (swinging)

0 runs, 0 hits

[teedubya]

Does Paul Splittorff put anyone else to sleep? He has the personality of a buzzard's crotch.

ROFL

Crotch is just a fun word to say.

'Moist Crotch' is even funner.

[alnorth]

From listening to the radio, Nunez might be on a limited pitch count today, to about 75-80 pitches. He's been so efficient so far, he may finish 6 and pitch into 7 in spite of that.

[Chiefspants]

Royals Are doin good so far

[alnorth]

Top 5th

Cruz flies out to center
Wilkerson walks
Laird singles to left, Wilkerson to second
Vazquez called out on a popup to third (infield fly rule)
Metcalf grounds into a 5-4 fielder's choice, Laird out at second

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 5th

German grounds out to shortstop
Gordon flies out to left
Butler singles to left
Gload grounds out to second

0 runs, 1 hit

[alnorth]

Top 6th

Catalanotto singles to left
Young flies out to right
Teixeira grounds into a 3-6 double play, Catalanotto tagged out at second

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 6th

Teahen singles to center
Teahen steals second
Sanders walks
Pena Jr singles to left, Sanders to third, Teahen scores
LaRue strikes out (swinging)

Ron Mahay relieves Loe

DeJesus singles to left, Pena Jr to second, Sanders scores
German grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, DeJesus out at second

2 runs, 3 hits

[alnorth]

Sounds like Leo's done. I'd say this was far better than expected, and now he's carrying his nifty little 0.90 ERA. (Obviously he's not THAT good, but still looks nice)

[alnorth]

Top 7th

Joel Peralta relieves Nunez

Byrd grounds out to second
Cruz singles to right
Wilkerson reaches on a 6-4 fielder's choice, Cruz out at second
Laird grounds out to third

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 7th

Gordon doubles to left
Butler grounds out to shortstop, Gordon to third
Gload singles to left, Gordon scores
Teahen walks, Gload to second

Scott Feldman relieves Mahay

Sanders singles to right, Teahen to second, Gload scores
Pena Jr reaches on a 1-6 fielder's choice, Sanders out at second, Teahen to third
LaRue walks, Pena Jr to second
DeJesus walks, LaRue to second, Pena Jr to third, Teahen scores
German singles to left, DeJesus to second, LaRue to third, Pena Jr scores

Jason Smith bats for Gordon

Smith flies out to left

4 runs, 4 hits

[KcMizzou]

So when's the last time we had two winning months in a row?

[Adept Havelock]

So when's the last time we had two winning months in a row?

I'm not sure of the exact months, but I think it was fall of Nineteen Dickety-Doo.

[SCTrojan]

So when's the last time we had two winning months in a row?

This was from this morning's KC Star:

The Royals are 12-10 in July after Saturday night’s victory.

Kansas City has a chance to have back-to-back winning months for the first time since 2003, when it went 15-12 in June and 15-11 in July. The Royals were 15-12 last month.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/209677.html

[teedubya]

why pinch hit for Alex Gordon. That sucks. Give the man a chance with Bases Loaded. Jason Smith blows.

[alnorth]

why pinch hit for Alex Gordon. That sucks. Give the man a chance with Bases Loaded. Jason Smith blows.

The Royals have a plane to catch. They obviously want this game to end, which is also why they just started running station to station at the end of the inning.

[alnorth]

Top 8th

Smith comes in at 3B

Vazquez grounds out to shortstop
Metcalf flies out to center
Catalanotto pops out to third

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 8th

Butler grounds out to first 3-1
Gload grounds out to second
Teahen doubles to center
Sanders flies out to left

0 runs, 1 hit

[Bowser]

After that nightmarish start to the season, the Royals will be ten games under .500 after today's win. Almost hard to believe.

What was our mark this time last year?

[alnorth]

That was quick. I wonder if Peralta will come back out for the old-fashioned 3 inning save?

[AndChiefs]

He can't get a save. He came in with a 6 run lead.

[alnorth]

He can't get a save. He came in with a 6 run lead.

Sure he can. If you pitch 3 or more innings to end the game on the winning side without giving up the lead, you get the save even if you came in with a 20 run lead.

[ChiTown]

He can't get a save. He came in with a 6 run lead.


If he pitches and closes out the 9th, he will.

[AndChiefs]

Huh interesting..i never knew that.

[alnorth]

If he blows it in the 9th in a big lead with 3 inning situation does he get a blown save? Honestly I dont know, I doubt it because he is not eligible for a save unless he finishes. Probably academic, if he did that crappy, he'd be pulled way before blowing it.

[Chiefspants]

Great outing by Nunez today

[alnorth]

Top 9th

Emil Brown replaces Sanders in LF

Young strikes out (swinging)
Teixeira singles to right
Byrd hit by pitch, Teixeira to second
Cruz flies out to right
Wilkerson grounds out to shortstop

0 runs, 1 hit

Royals win, 10-0

[KcMizzou]

This has been a nice workman-like game.

[alnorth]

Come on Peralta, youve got a 10 run lead. Just throw strikes and let your defense get some exercise.

[alnorth]

LOL from the radio, Peralta was apparently totally gassed, and got to the point where he was just serving it up, as if to say "ok, just hit this somewhere and we'll see if we can catch it or throw you out"

[SCTrojan]

Way to finish off the sweep. Now on the road to Detroit. Doesn't that make them 9-7 since the break? I wouldn't have bet that could happen going into it.

[teedubya]

now, off to Minnesota.

[SCTrojan]

now, off to Minnesota.

Oops. My bad.

[keg in kc]

What was our mark this time last year?37-66

Today: 47-57

47th win in 2006 came almost a month later, on August 26th.

[Bowser]

37-66

Today: 47-57

47th win in 2006 came almost a month later, on August 26th.

Thanks for looking it up.

My original statemnet at the beginning of the year was that we wouldn't contend until 2009 for the Central. They keep getting their shit together at the pace they are now, they might make some noise next year.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

OOOOYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!


PBJ

[alnorth]

In other news, it looks like Bonds is going to fail to tie or break the HR record at home today, which means he'll probably do it in LA or San Diego. If its going to be broken, I want it to be done with a background of loud boos and outrage from the fans, so that decades down the road, this wont be remembered as some magical moment like in the old Hank Aaron replay, but instead it will be clear to future fans that this cheating fraud was not well-liked at all.

[VonneMarie]

Nunez throws six scoreless frames in Rangers' rout of Royals

Nunez super in second start as Texas tops K.C.

WTF? Did we not kill Texas today?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=kan

[VonneMarie]

LOL... They fixed it.

[Demonpenz]

i think the save thing after 3 innings is still up to the official scorer's "Did he do an effective job?" haha

[alnorth]

i think the save thing after 3 innings is still up to the official scorer's "Did he do an effective job?" haha

Correct, although thats usually rare. You'd have to be pretty piss-poor to be denied the 3 inning save these days since it is accomplished so rarely now.

Rule 10.20 in the Official Rule Book states:
Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:
(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and
(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
- (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
- (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces; or
- (c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.

[Demonpenz]

baseball geeks unite! I bet you wait for that situation just to bring that little rule up. I know I do. I have been known to deny that save when I kept score in little league

[beavis]

In other news, it looks like Bonds is going to fail to tie or break the HR record at home today, which means he'll probably do it in LA or San Diego. If its going to be broken, I want it to be done with a background of loud boos and outrage from the fans, so that decades down the road, this wont be remembered as some magical moment like in the old Hank Aaron replay, but instead it will be clear to future fans that this cheating fraud was not well-liked at all.
That would be beautiful.

[beavis]

Thanks for looking it up.

My original statemnet at the beginning of the year was that we wouldn't contend until 2009 for the Central. They keep getting their shit together at the pace they are now, they might make some noise next year.
I still think we are at least one decent starter away (Nunez maybe?), and I still think we need an "ace" type guy, which as nice as Meche has done this year, I really don't think he is. I'd also like another power bat behind Gordon and Butler in the order.

But yeah, who woulda thunk it. I was prepared to give Moore 2 or 3 years to even get this train wreck headed in the right direction. It's fun to think we might actually have a chance to win most anyday.

[tk13]

The nicest thing is that in just about a year, we've gone from being terrified about our starting pitcher 4 out of every 5 days (or more) to realistically moving toward trying to get 4-5 really solid starters. The Elarton thing was a good sign of that, I think a couple years ago we would've been more tolerant hoping he could find the old form, now we think we're better than that. That we should have a rotation of guys like Meche and Bannister who are gonna go 6-7 innings, give up 3 runs or so, turn it over to a solid bullpen.

[Eleazar]

Would have been 20-0 if it weren't for Buddy Bell

[chiefqueen]

In other news, it looks like Bonds is going to fail to tie or break the HR record at home today, which means he'll probably do it in LA or San Diego. If its going to be broken, I want it to be done with a background of loud boos and outrage from the fans, so that decades down the road, this wont be remembered as some magical moment like in the old Hank Aaron replay, but instead it will be clear to future fans that this cheating fraud was not well-liked at all.


ESPN said the Dodgers were having a "stay off steriods" on one of the nights of the Giants series.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

ESPN said the Dodgers were having a "stay off steriods" on one of the nights of the Giants series.
It'll be funny when 3 of their players test positive.

[Hammock Parties]

FOOK YAH!!!! Man, I hope to god Nunez can keep throwing 6 innings or more like that for the rest of the year and the rest of his career!! Its only been 2 starts for him here, but i feel we could have something with this kid. GAWD IM LOVING THIS SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chiefspants]

FOOK YAH!!!! Man, I hope to god Nunez can keep throwing 6 innings or more like that for the rest of the year and the rest of his career!! Its only been 2 starts for him here, but i feel we could have something with this kid. GAWD IM LOVING THIS SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the spirit

[petegz28]

This has been a great homestand even with the $200 milion Yanks taking 3 of 4. The Royals have won 3 of the last 5 series since the break and more going back before then.

I think this team is reall starting to play as I hoped they would at the start of the season. Let's look at why....

No Sweeney
Gordon's bat is coming around
Grienke goes to the Pen
Soria impresses all
Butler finally put in the lineup

[KcMizzou]

This has been a great homestand even with the $200 milion Yanks taking 3 of 4. The Royals have won 3 of the last 5 series since the break and more going back before then.

I think this team is reall starting to play as I hoped they would at the start of the season. Let's look at why....

No Sweeney
Gordon's bat is coming around
Grienke goes to the Pen
Soria impresses all
Butler finally put in the lineupPena Jr's helped a bit too, he's been a surprise to me, anyway.

[Chiefspants]

He has been a pleasant surprise

[shrek6849]

Pena Jr. is now batting .287. That really is ridiculous considering, from everything I heard, the organization was expecting something in the .220's and would have accepted that.

[petegz28]

Pena Jr's helped a bit too, he's been a surprise to me, anyway.


Good call. I forgot about him and should not of. However I wish he would clean up some of the errors. Having said that though he has been a very pleasant suprise.

[sportsman1]

Once Pena Jr can raise his obp, he'll be one hell of an asset.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

THE ROYALS ARE SO AWESOME

[Halfcan]

I went to the K on Friday-that was a badass fireworks display-one of the best I can remember.