tk13
06-27-2003, 02:15 AM
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/6180514.htm
Royals Report: Hernandez to stay at Wichita for one more start
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
CLEVELAND - Right-hander Runelvys Hernandez will make at least one more rehab start at Class AA Wichita before rejoining the Royals' rotation.
Hernandez experienced some tightness in his right elbow after working 52/3 innings Wednesday night against El Paso.
"There was some tightness," general manager Allard Baird said, "but it was (because of) going from 70 to 89 pitches. His quality of stuff was good. Our scouts were very pleased with that.
"Runelvys feels good. He would like to make his next start up here, but I'm going to have him go one more (at Wichita)."
Hernandez hasn't pitched in the majors since May 14 because of inflammation in his right elbow. He had a no-hitter Wednesday through 52/3 innings before surrendering five straight hits, which produced three runs.
The decision to keep Hernandez a while longer in Wichita means the Royals will need another starter to pair with Kyle Snyder for Monday's doubleheader against the Indians at Kauffman Stadium.
The likely candidates: Kris Wilson, 2-0 earlier this season in spot starts, or former reliever Brad Voyles, who is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA in three starts at Class AAA Omaha.
Roster moves
Neither second baseman Brent Abernathy nor pitcher Les Walrond spent much time at Omaha before getting the call to rejoin the Royals.
Abernathy still had his possessions in boxes.
"We were in Sacramento for four games," said Abernathy, who was one for 14 after being optioned to the Omaha before last weekend.
"I was going to unpack today (in Omaha). But I never got that far."
Walrond appeared in just two games after being optioned to Omaha on June 15. He pitched 31/3 scoreless innings and got a victory and a save.
"They told me to work on first-pitch strikes and good things would happen," Walrond said. "And they happened pretty quick."
The Royals recalled Abernathy and Walrond after placing Mike Sweeney on the disabled list and optioning right-hander Ryan Bukvich to Omaha.
Bukvich appeared in just one game since he rejoined the club before last weekend's series in St. Louis. He allowed two runs and two hits in one inning.
"We need to let him pitch on a regular basis," manager Tony Pena said. "He's part of our future. If I'm not going to pitch him here, he needs to pitch somewhere because he needs to get better."
Abernathy was two for 26 in nine games before being sent down. Walrond was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three appearances.
Up next: Cardinals
The second half of the Show-Me Series opens at 7:05 tonight when the Cardinals make their now-annual visit to Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won two of three when the teams met last weekend in St. Louis.
Third baseman Scott Rolen is back in the Cardinals' lineup after missing last weekend because of a sore neck. He was three for 10 in his first two games back and was batting .291 overall with 13 homers and 52 RBIs before Thursday's game against the Reds.
Left fielder Albert Pujols went six for 15 last weekend against the Royals and is 14 for 25 with two homers and eight RBIs in six career games at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals hope to do a better job against rookie second baseman Bo Hart, who was six for 14 last weekend at Busch Stadium.
The all-time series is tied 12-12 in regular-season games, but the Royals hold a 7-5 edge at Kauffman Stadium.
Weekend promotions
The opportunity to win a Royals jersey in a $1 charity raffle and a salute to the Negro Leagues highlight the weekend's promotional schedule.
Tonight's game offers post-game fireworks, sponsored by Wal-Mart.
The raffle is Saturday. Royals employees will sell $1 scratch-off tickets for the first six innings. The 25 winners will go onto the field after the game and be presented with a jersey worn during the game by a Royals' player. The proceeds go to Royals Charities.
On Sunday, the Royals and Cardinals will wear replica uniforms of the 1924 Kansas City Monarchs and 1928 St. Louis Stars. The first 20,000 fans into the stadium will receive a free 1924 Monarchs cap.
Sunday is also a Kids Eat Free day. Everyone under age 15 gets a free hot dog and small Pepsi. Weather permitting, all fans will be allowed on the field after the game to run the bases in the Cingular Fun Run.
Etc.
• The last time the Royals were in first place by something more than percentage points this late in the year was the final day of the 1985 season.
• The Royals are 8-1 overall against the Indians and 6-1 in Jacobs Field. The six victories in Cleveland are the most ever by the Royals.
• The Royals are 24-6 against AL Central opponents.
• Royals pitchers have a 1.67 ERA in nine games against the Indians.
On deck
Left-hander Darrell May, 0-4 and 4.18 ERA, tries yet again for his first victory when he opposes Cardinals right-hander Garrett Stephenson, 4-6 and 4.45, at 7:05 tonight at Kauffman Stadium.
May and Stephenson both suffered losses last weekend in St. Louis. The Cardinals got four runs and nine hits in six innings Saturday against May in an 8-1 victory. The Royals got five runs and seven hits in six innings Sunday against Stephenson in a 5-2 victory.
Other projected matchups:
• SATURDAY: Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, 4-3 and 3.97, vs. Cardinals right-hander Jason Simontacchi, 5-4 and 6.13, at 6:05 p.m.
• SUNDAY: Left-hander Chris George, 9-4 and 6.18, vs. Cardinals right-hander Brett Tomko, 3-5 and 5.73, at 1:05 p.m.
Royals Report: Hernandez to stay at Wichita for one more start
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
CLEVELAND - Right-hander Runelvys Hernandez will make at least one more rehab start at Class AA Wichita before rejoining the Royals' rotation.
Hernandez experienced some tightness in his right elbow after working 52/3 innings Wednesday night against El Paso.
"There was some tightness," general manager Allard Baird said, "but it was (because of) going from 70 to 89 pitches. His quality of stuff was good. Our scouts were very pleased with that.
"Runelvys feels good. He would like to make his next start up here, but I'm going to have him go one more (at Wichita)."
Hernandez hasn't pitched in the majors since May 14 because of inflammation in his right elbow. He had a no-hitter Wednesday through 52/3 innings before surrendering five straight hits, which produced three runs.
The decision to keep Hernandez a while longer in Wichita means the Royals will need another starter to pair with Kyle Snyder for Monday's doubleheader against the Indians at Kauffman Stadium.
The likely candidates: Kris Wilson, 2-0 earlier this season in spot starts, or former reliever Brad Voyles, who is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA in three starts at Class AAA Omaha.
Roster moves
Neither second baseman Brent Abernathy nor pitcher Les Walrond spent much time at Omaha before getting the call to rejoin the Royals.
Abernathy still had his possessions in boxes.
"We were in Sacramento for four games," said Abernathy, who was one for 14 after being optioned to the Omaha before last weekend.
"I was going to unpack today (in Omaha). But I never got that far."
Walrond appeared in just two games after being optioned to Omaha on June 15. He pitched 31/3 scoreless innings and got a victory and a save.
"They told me to work on first-pitch strikes and good things would happen," Walrond said. "And they happened pretty quick."
The Royals recalled Abernathy and Walrond after placing Mike Sweeney on the disabled list and optioning right-hander Ryan Bukvich to Omaha.
Bukvich appeared in just one game since he rejoined the club before last weekend's series in St. Louis. He allowed two runs and two hits in one inning.
"We need to let him pitch on a regular basis," manager Tony Pena said. "He's part of our future. If I'm not going to pitch him here, he needs to pitch somewhere because he needs to get better."
Abernathy was two for 26 in nine games before being sent down. Walrond was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three appearances.
Up next: Cardinals
The second half of the Show-Me Series opens at 7:05 tonight when the Cardinals make their now-annual visit to Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won two of three when the teams met last weekend in St. Louis.
Third baseman Scott Rolen is back in the Cardinals' lineup after missing last weekend because of a sore neck. He was three for 10 in his first two games back and was batting .291 overall with 13 homers and 52 RBIs before Thursday's game against the Reds.
Left fielder Albert Pujols went six for 15 last weekend against the Royals and is 14 for 25 with two homers and eight RBIs in six career games at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals hope to do a better job against rookie second baseman Bo Hart, who was six for 14 last weekend at Busch Stadium.
The all-time series is tied 12-12 in regular-season games, but the Royals hold a 7-5 edge at Kauffman Stadium.
Weekend promotions
The opportunity to win a Royals jersey in a $1 charity raffle and a salute to the Negro Leagues highlight the weekend's promotional schedule.
Tonight's game offers post-game fireworks, sponsored by Wal-Mart.
The raffle is Saturday. Royals employees will sell $1 scratch-off tickets for the first six innings. The 25 winners will go onto the field after the game and be presented with a jersey worn during the game by a Royals' player. The proceeds go to Royals Charities.
On Sunday, the Royals and Cardinals will wear replica uniforms of the 1924 Kansas City Monarchs and 1928 St. Louis Stars. The first 20,000 fans into the stadium will receive a free 1924 Monarchs cap.
Sunday is also a Kids Eat Free day. Everyone under age 15 gets a free hot dog and small Pepsi. Weather permitting, all fans will be allowed on the field after the game to run the bases in the Cingular Fun Run.
Etc.
• The last time the Royals were in first place by something more than percentage points this late in the year was the final day of the 1985 season.
• The Royals are 8-1 overall against the Indians and 6-1 in Jacobs Field. The six victories in Cleveland are the most ever by the Royals.
• The Royals are 24-6 against AL Central opponents.
• Royals pitchers have a 1.67 ERA in nine games against the Indians.
On deck
Left-hander Darrell May, 0-4 and 4.18 ERA, tries yet again for his first victory when he opposes Cardinals right-hander Garrett Stephenson, 4-6 and 4.45, at 7:05 tonight at Kauffman Stadium.
May and Stephenson both suffered losses last weekend in St. Louis. The Cardinals got four runs and nine hits in six innings Saturday against May in an 8-1 victory. The Royals got five runs and seven hits in six innings Sunday against Stephenson in a 5-2 victory.
Other projected matchups:
• SATURDAY: Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, 4-3 and 3.97, vs. Cardinals right-hander Jason Simontacchi, 5-4 and 6.13, at 6:05 p.m.
• SUNDAY: Left-hander Chris George, 9-4 and 6.18, vs. Cardinals right-hander Brett Tomko, 3-5 and 5.73, at 1:05 p.m.