In a typical pitcher’s duel when James Shields is on the mound, the KC Royals once again gave him little run support and lost to Oakland, 2-1.

The Royals led 1-0 until the A’s scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Josh Donaldson hit a solo homerun to lead off the seventh to tie the game and Adam Rosales hit a go ahead solo homerun to lead off the bottom of the 8th inning off Shields. That homerun by Donaldson must have made Shields mad because he struck out the side on 13 pitches.

He threw 122 pitches, 76 for strikes. Remember when fans were mad that Ned Yost didn’t leave him in that 1-0 game that the bullpen lost when he was at 102 pitches? Now they’re begging for Yost to pull him before he allows late runs.

But you cannot fault Shields. He was great tonight.

David Lough

He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over eight innings (a complete game). He struck out nine. The A’s only had multiple base runners in the 2nd inning.

Outfielder David Lough made an impact in his first game of the 2013 season. He batted leadoff in the ever-changing Royals lineup. In the 3rd inning, he gave the Royals a 1-0 lead with a two out RBI double. In the bottom of the fourth, he threw Brandon Moss out at second base when he tried to stretch a single into a double. In the 7th inning, he singled with one out after a seven pitch at-bat. Unfortunately, Alcides Escobar grounded into an inning ending double play one pitch later.

The rest of the Royals lineup only collected three hits.

The two teams continue their series tomorrow, as Ervin Santana gets the start against lefty Tommy Milone for the A’s.

It took an unfortunate injury to get David Lough to the big leagues.

After outfielder KC Royals Jarrod Dyson injured his ankle trying to catch Mike Trout’s home run ball on Wednesday night in LA, he was placed on the DL this afternoon. Lough was held out of Omaha’s game on Wednesday, which led people to believe he would be recalled.

Which he was. It is the first official roster move by the Royals this season (besides Will Smith being recalled twice as the 26th player for doubleheaders).

Lough has been the Omaha Storm Chasers best hitter so far this season in Triple-A. He was hitting .340 in 36 games with six doubles, three triples, and three home runs. Mainly batting from the leadoff spot, he drove in 17 runs and stole five bases. I was impressed with his play this spring and was disappointed to see him not on the Opening Day roster.

Dyson had been playing of late because 1. he was hitting and 2. Jeff Francoeur was struggling. Does this mean that Lough will slide right into the Royals starting lineup? Or will Frenchy keep playing?

I’d like to see Lough get a chance to play. He’s always hit in the minors and the only way to see if he can hit in the big leagues is to play him (and more than once a week). Maybe he will be the sparkplug the offense needs.

Here’s his chance and I hope he does well, so well that when Dyson is ready to come off the DL, he makes the Royals have to make a tough decision.

I know I’m a day late from my normal weekly awards posting, but with the minor league regular season ending on Labor Day, I figured I’d push it back a day to cover everything. It wasn’t a great ending for any team.

The KC Royals went 4-4 over the last eight days and still comfortably sit in third place in the American League Central (60-74). They continue their four-game series tonight at home against Texas.

Omaha finished the regular season going 3-5. It wasn’t a great final month for the Storm Chasers who had a huge lead in the American Northern Division for most of the year (finished with an 83-61 record). They begin their quest for a second straight Pacific Coast League title on Wednesday night in Omaha against Albuquerque who they just lost three of four to. Jake Odorizzi will start the playoff opener against the Isotopes’ Fernando Nieve (a former big leaguer).

NW Arkansas went just 2-6 over the final eight games to finish the second half at a disappointing 21-48. After missing out on the Texas League’s North Division’s first half title by three games, they completely fell apart in the second half.

Wilmington went 5-2 over their last eight days, including clinching the Northern Division second half title on Thursday. The Blue Rocks ended the Carolina League’s second half at 37-33. They start their quest at their first Mills Cup trophy since 1999 on Wednesday night at home against Lynchburg. Brooks Pounders will face CL Pitcher of the Year Gus Schlosser.

Kane County went just 2-6 in their final eight games and found themselves on the outside looking in in terms of a Midwest League playoff spot. The Cougars finished the second half with a 34-36 record.

Burlington blew away their division in the Appalachian League and reached the Appy League finals (41-27). Each of the three games needed extra innings to name a victor. The Royals lost the title to Elizabethton on a 12th inning walk-off grand slam.

Idaho Falls was eliminated from the Pioneer League playoffs with a 16-19 second half record (33-40 overall record). The Chukars finish their regular season on September 6th (they’ve lost seven of their last nine games).

Hitters of the Week

Majors: Even though David Lough played in just three games last week, it was a memorable three games. He made his Major League debut on Saturday and batted leadoff in all three games. He has a hit in every game and went 5-for-14 (.357) with four runs scored.

Minors: Wil Myers, Omaha. It is fitting that Omaha’s Player of the Year takes this honor in the final award posting of the minor league regular season. He is in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak and has gotten hot right when the Storm Chasers are heading to the postseason.

Myers was 13-for-33 (.394) over his last eight games. He scored five runs and drove in six. He fell a homerun short of the Minor League Baseball title (one behind Double-A Reading’s Darin Ruf).

Honorable Mention: Irving Falu, Omaha. He is also in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak. He was 14-for-32 (.438) with five runs scored and five RBIs. Falu finished the season with the seventh best batting average (.329) in the PCL.

» Continue reading “Royals Blue Aid Weekly Awards”

The KC Royals and Minnesota Twins played two on Saturday and the first game was delayed due to more rain. The Royals were swept in the DH.

Game 1 was a well-pitched game, but the Royals fell 3-1. Twins rookie Cole De Vries has just four wins on the season. He is now 3-0 against the Royals. He allowed a run on seven hits over 6.2 innings. All seven of the hits were singles.

Meanwhile, Will Smith allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four. Vin Mazzaro followed with three scoreless innings of relief.

Game 2 was ugly from the start for the Royals, as Luke Hochevar lasted 1.2 innings. He gave up eight runs, even after the Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning.

However, the Royals offense battled back, but it was just too much, as they lost 8-7. They out-hit the Twins, 14-9, but collected just two extra-base hits.

The 3-4-5 hitters (Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, and Salvador Perez) went a combined 9-for-14 with four runs scored and three RBIs. David Lough made his first start of the 2012 season (in right field and batting leadoff) and went 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Everett Teaford came on in relief and threw 5.1 scoreless innings of relief. He threw 56 pitches, 34 for strikes. Kelvin Herrera followed with two hitless innings of relief.

Luis Mendoza will take the hill on Sunday afternoon as the Royals try to salvage at least one game of the series. Esmerling Vasquez will be making his first big league start (and Twins debut).

*What is it about the Twins? The Royals are just 4-9 against them this season and have won just one game in each series.

**As part of the September callups, the Royals brought up catcher Manny Pina from Double-A and outfielder David Lough from Triple-A.

Omaha pulled off the four-game sweep Monday afternoon against Oklahoma City, 8-4. The Storm Chasers scored six runs in the 3rd inning, capped by David Lough‘s grand slam.

Cody Clark went 3-for-3. Derrick Robinson, Kurt Mertins, and Terry Evans each collected two hits. Evans scored two runs and drove in two.

The offensive outburst made a winner of Everett Teaford, who allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

NW Arkansas had two 3-run innings en route to their 6-2 win over Tulsa to extend their winning streak to three games. Justin Marks pitched his second straight solid start, as he allowed one run on five hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Wil Myers hit his tenth homerun, a solo shot in the 5th inning (he went 2-for-5). Eric Duncan went 3-for-4 while Rey Navarro and Christian Colon each collected two hits in the win.

Wilmington enjoyed the much needed day off after a short trip home from Potomac. The Blue Rocks welcome Lynchburg into town on Tuesday for a short three-game series.

Kane County scored just one run, a solo homerun by Murray Watts in the 6th inning, as they lost to Beloit, 5-1.

Scott Alexander took the loss, as he allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings. Jason Mitchell followed with three shutout innings of relief. He allowed just two hits and struck out four.

With a 7-5 lead in the 9th inning, Roman Colon allowed a game-tying two-run homerun to Justin Ruggiano. His Omaha teammates came back with a three-run bottom of the 9th inning to give him the 10-7 victory.

Cody Clark hit a walk-off three-run homerun with two outs. Omaha had just nine hits with Johnny Giavotella, Clint Robinson, and David Lough collecting two each. Gio scored three runs. Robinson scored three runs, drove in two, and walked three times. Lough had two RBIs.

Down 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning, NW Arkansas put up a three-spot en route to their 4-3 victory over Tulsa. Those three runs came on a Mario Lisson homerun.

That blast made a winner of Noel Arguelles, who allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. Elisaul Pimentel followed up with two one-hit innings of relief.

On offense, Wil Myers went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. He hit his ninth homerun of the season. Christian Colon also went 2-for-4.

Wilmington lost yet another pitcher’s duel, this time in Potomac, 3-1. Yordano Ventura took the loss, as he allowed two runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out six.

The Blue Rocks could do nothing against the Nationals bullpen. Over the final 2.2 innings, Nationals’ pitchers racked up six strikeouts.

The Blue Rocks’ lone run came via Cheslor Cuthbert‘s first homerun of the season (he went 2-for-4). Whit Merrifield and Roman Hernandez both went 2-for-4.

Just 297 fans showed up to watch Beloit beat Kane County, 5-3. All of the Cougars’ runs came over the final two innings.

Aaron Brooks took the loss, as he allowed two runs (two solo homeruns) on five hits over six innings. He struck out nine.

Omaha continues their winning ways, this time on the road in Memphis. The Storm Chasers beat the Redbirds, 3-2. David Lough hit an inside-the-park homerun in the 9th inning to break the 2-2 tie (his second HR of the game).

Sean O’Sullivan earned the victory with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief behind starter Will Smith (6.2 IP, 9H, 2R, 0BB, 2K).

Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-4 in the win. The Cardinals Allen Craig began his rehab assignment with Memphis and went 2-for-5.

NW Arkansas scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back in their 6-3 win over Springfield. Justin Marks earned his first Double-A victory, as he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings.

Wil Myers hit his 6th homerun of the season, as he went 3-for-4. Rey Navarro went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Kurt Mertins went 2-for-2 with two walks, Ryan Jenkins went 2-for-4, and Mario Lisson went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks scored the game’s first run, but Salem scored the next four runs to win 4-1. Whit Merrifield led off the game with a double (he went 2-for-4) and scored on Brian Fletcher’s double (he went 3-for-4).

Sugar Ray Marimon relieved Leondy Perez and pitched three shutout innings. He allowed just one hit while striking out five.

The Kane County Cougars collected just three hits in their 6-0 loss. Daniel Mateo had two of them. The Cougars complete their road series in Lansing Friday night.

Scott Alexander took the loss, as he allowed two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The KC Royals announced three more players were cut on Sunday to trim their spring roster to 43 players. The three players cut haven’t gotten a ton of playing time so far.

First baseman/DH Clint Robinson was stuck behind both Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler. He had been doing well when he played, as he was hitting .318 (7-for-22) with a double and two RBIs.

Outfielder David Lough, who I thought would have gotten more of a look this spring as a fourth outfielder, really didn’t. He was 6-for-19 (.316) with two triples and an RBI.

Fellow outfielder and speed demon Derrick Robinson got the least amount of playing time of the three. He also has yet to reach Triple-A. He was 4-for-11 (.364) with three RBIs.

Centerfield is the other position up for grabs this spring for the KC Royals, though Lorenzo Cain is the front-runner.

Doug Kerr/Flickr

He provides a mix of speed and power, at least that is what he showed in Triple-A in 2011. With Omaha, he hit .312 with 28 doubles, seven triples, 16 homeruns, and 81 RBIs. Problem is, he struck out 102 times in 486 at-bats. Strikeouts were a bit of an issue in the Royals outfield (fellow outfielders Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur each struck out over 120 times in 2011).

Cain played all three outfield positions in Omaha and he may project better as a corner outfielder. However the centerfield job is his to lose.

Jarrod Dyson provides the best pure speed. He is also a great base stealer. He stole 11 bases in the big leagues in 2011 and was only caught stealing once. When he was sent to Triple-A, he stole 38 bases and was only caught twice. He also doesn’t strike out as much (58 times in 363 total at-bats).

» Continue reading “Will Cain Win the Centerfield Job?”

Have you ever wanted to learn how to hit from a pro? Well, if you live near Arvest Park, the home of the NW Arkansas Naturals, you are in luck.

This fall and winter, former big leaguer Vance Wilson will be offering baseball clinics. Wilson retired in 2010 and spent this past season managing the Kane County Cougars, the KC Royals Low-A affiliate in the Midwest League. The Blaise-ing Baseball Academy is a five-week course in three age groups: 8-10 year olds, 11-13 year olds, and 14-18 year olds. To register or for more info, contact Vance at (479) 871-2215 or email blaiseingbaseballacademy@gmail.com.

The schedule is as follows:

5 week Session Times and Dates
8 – 10 yr olds, Every Monday from November 21-December 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.

14 – 18 yr olds Every Monday from November 21-December 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.
11 – 13 yr olds Every Tuesday from November 22-December 20 from 4:15 to 6:15 P.M.

The January 2012 sessions will occur as follows:

8 – 10 yr olds, Every Monday from January 9-February 6 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.

14 – 18 yr olds Every Monday from January 9-February 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.
11 – 13 yr olds Every Tuesday from January 10-February 7 from 4:15 to 6:15 P.M.

Romak & Smith (via Tim Smith)

Wilson isn’t the only one offering instruction at Arvest Park this offseason. Tim Smith, who recently returned home with a Gold Medal from the Pan-Am Games in Mexico while playing for Canada, roamed the outfield at Arvest Park this past season. Between now and mid-February, Smith will be offering personal hitting clinics by appointment for up to four players at a time. These sessions will take place from 9am-4pm on Mondays and Tuesday, between 9am and 8pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and between 10am-5pm on Saturdays.

For more information, check out Tim’s website or contact him via email timsmithbaseball@hotmail.com.

» Continue reading “Royals News & Notes”