The KC Royals on Wednesday afternoon traded first baseman/DH Clint Robinson and pitcher Vin Mazzaro to the Pittsburgh Pirates for two minor leaguers. Both Robinson and Mazzaro were designated for assignment last week when the Royals restructured their 40-man roster.

Robinson never really got a chance with the Royals, despite the fact that he hit at every minor league level. He finally made his Major League debut in 2012 during Interleague Play, but only as a pinch-hitter. Robinson was blocked in the big leagues by both Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler. First base isn’t exactly a position the Pirates are in need of, but hopefully Robinson gets a shot of making the club out of spring training.

Mazzaro really never got a shot after manager Ned Yost left him in to die in 2011(which made headlines on ESPN). He pitched pretty well for Triple-A Omaha in 2012. The Pirates need pitching, so Mazzaro will most likely get a look during spring training.

So what did the Royals get? Two minor league pitchers who are a WAYS away from reaching the big leagues.

Luis Rico will be 19 years old and is a lefty. He has made just 20 appearances as a professional. In those outings, he has a 5.29 ERA. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League and has yet to make his US debut.

Luis Santos is a 21 year old right-hander. He has made just 24 minor league appearances, but has a 2.51 ERA. He was Rico’s teammate in the DSL and also gas yet to make his stateside debut.

It was a pitcher’s duel early until the two teams’ bullpens got into the action. The KC Royals were then pummeled by the Cleveland Indians, 15-4.

Jake Odorizzi with the Blue Rocks

Jake Odorizzi was making his Major League debut for the Royals and looked good early on. I couldn’t watch the game (as many probably couldn’t because it wasn’t televised), but either he was aggressive in the strike zone or the Indians were aggressive at the plate. He hit the 50 pitch mark after four innings, but 34 of them were for strikes.

Then the 5th inning. He needed 22 pitches to get through the inning, but still did not allow a run.

In the sixth, it was the third time through the Indians order. Odorizzi finally retired Shin-Soo Choo (who had the only two hits off him to that point). Jason Kipnis then tripled on the very first pitch and the wheels seemed to fall off for Odorizzi.

He fell behind 2-0 to Asdrubal Cabrera before allowing an RBI single to give the Indians the lead. Carlos Santana took the first pitch from Odorizzi into the seats for a two-run homerun.

After a coaching visit, he allowed a single to Michael Brantley which ended his day. Francisley Bueno entered and escaped. He was the only Royals reliever to not allow a run.

All-in-all, it was a good first start for Odorizzi. His fastball stayed in the 88-92 mph range. He hit 93 mph once when trying to put away Jack Hannahan (he ended up walking him). He allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

Indians starter David Huff was just as good as Odorizzi, though he was losing 1-0 before the 6th inning. The only run he allowed came via Adam Moore‘s first homerun in the big leagues this season.

Huff retired eight in a row after the homerun before walking Moore to lead off the bottom of the sixth. After Alex Gordon‘s two out single put runners at the corners, Huff was lifted for Esmil Rogers, who threw one pitch to get Billy Butler to fly out to end the inning.

The Royals usually reliable bullpen was BAD on Sunday. It all started in the top of the 7th inning. The Indians sent 11 men to the plate and scored five runs off three Royals relievers.

» Continue reading “Tribe Ruins Odorizzi’s Debut”

A day after Jonathan Sanchez could not get out of the 2nd inning, his trade mate from the SF Giants (and fellow left-hander), Ryan Verdugo, lasted just 1.2 innings. The KC Royals yet again lost to the Seattle Mariners, 9-6.

Ryan Verdugo via Minda Haas/Royal Blues

It wasn’t a great Major League debut for Verdugo, was was acquired by the Royals from the Giants for outfielder Melky Cabrera this offseason. I can’t say I was surprised by the performance. After his first callup (in which he did not pitch), Verdugo was moved to the bullpen in Triple-A (except for one start on July 5th). He pitched an inning of relief just two days ago (July 14th) for Omaha.

Anyway, back to his debut.

It started out so well. He recorded the first two outs before allowing a single to Casper Wells. Jesus Montero followed with an RBI double and Justin Smoak followed with a two-run homerun. Verdugo then walked Kyle Seager and gave up a single to Miguel Olivo before escaping the first inning.

Verdugo picked up his first big league strikeout by getting Brendan Ryan on five pitches leading off the 2nd inning. Dustin Ackley and Ichiro followed with back-to-back singles. After striking out Wells, Montero delivered an RBI single. After a coaching visit, Smoak walked to load the bases before Seager drove in two with a double. That ended Verdugo’s debut.

Verdugo threw 55 pitches, 31 for strikes. His final line looks like this: 1.2IP, 8H, 6R, 2BB, 2K.

» Continue reading “Another Day, Another Royals Start of Less Than 2 Innings”

I am hopeful that I will never have to write another title like last night’s (“Royals Sanchez Bombed Again”) after today’s news: the KC Royals designated lefty Jonathan Sanchez for assignment.

Peace Out from Jonathan Sanchez (via Minda Haas, Royal Blues).

That news is great because many couldn’t figure out how he kept his roster spot after each of his starts (just one win, an ERA closer to 8.00, and not reaching six innings in a start). The bad news is that Melky Cabrera is still lighting it up for the SF Giants.

As I mentioned last night in my rant of his poor start, I criticized this trade from the beginning. Sure Sanchez pitched a no-hitter and pitched well in the Giants run to the 2010 World Series, but he was terrible in the postseason and hasn’t done much since.

I doubt that Sanchez will accept an assignment to Triple-A, but maybe someone will take him off the Royals hands. So, say goodbye!

In the last hour, the Royals FINALLY named a starter for tonight’s game: lefty Ryan Verdugo. This is interesting considering he has been pitching out of the bullpen for Triple-A Omaha over the last month. Verdugo is the other piece the Royals received for Melky.

The Royals also sent outfielder Jason Bourgeois to Omaha to bring up right-hander Vin Mazzaro. I’m not sure Mazzaro is the answer to the Royals pitching problems, but if he pitches a few innings tonight, he’ll probably be sent back to the minors anyway.

The Toronto Blue Jays scored six runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, as they beat the visiting KC Royals, 6-3. This was after the Royals led 3-0.

Outside of two innings, the game in Toronto was scoreless.

The Royals scored three runs off Blue Jays starter Brett Cecil in the top of the 3rd inning. Jeff Francoeur and Salvador Perez led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Jason Bourgeois tripled both of them in. Alex Gordon followed with a sac fly and that was all the scoring for the Royals.

Cecil retired nine in a row before Mike Moustakas doubled to lead off the 7th inning to chase him from the game. The Royals could do nothing against the Blue Jays bullpen.

The top four in the Royals order went 0-for-4. The bottom half went 6-for-17.

Now let’s talk about that six-run 4th inning for the Blue Jays. With one out and runners at the corners, Edwin Encarnacion singled in a run. After Royals starter Vin Mazzaro struck out Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar singled to load the bases for Rajai Davis, who singled in two runs.

That brought a coaching visit, that did not help, as Adam Lind homered to cap the scoring.

Yet, Mazzaro kept on pitching. He was eventually removed in the bottom of the 6th inning with one on and one out. Here’s his final line: 5.1IP, 13H, 6R, 0BB, 3K.

After giving up all those hits, I guess we can be thankful Mazzaro didn’t give up more runs.

The Royals and Blue Jays continue their series up in Toronto, with Luis Mendoza facing Carlos Villanueva on Wednesday.

*Don’t forget that closer Jonathan Broxton needs your vote. Click HERE to help send him to the All-Star Game.

The KC Royals welcomed catcher Salvador Perez back to the lineup, but were thumped by the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, 11-4.

The Royals also welcomed back Carlos Beltran to Kauffman Stadium, his first time since 2004. He unfortunately hit like he had never left. With the bases loaded in the first inning, Beltran ripped the first pitch he saw from Vin Mazzaro off the left field wall for a two-run double. The Cardinals never looked back.

That wasn’t Beltran’s only hit. He went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBIs as the DH.

Mazzaro only recorded four outs, but allowed seven runs and six hits. After the second inning, the Cardinals scored just one run off the Royals bullpen.

The Royals collected 11 hits, as every starter had at least one hit except Jeff Francoeur. However, they went just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Perez returned to the lineup with a bang. He collected two hits in his 2012 debut, including a two-run homerun off Cardinals starter Joe Kelly in the 4th inning. He caught all nine innings, but the Cardinals did steal two bases off him.

Billy Butler and Alcides Escobar also had two hits in the loss.

The KC Royals had a very good week by winning two Interleague Series, one each on the road and at Kauffman Stadium (though they still have the worst home record in baseball at 11-20). They went 5-1 last week and are now 29-35 overall. The Royals are just five games back in the America League Central.

Omaha‘s ten game winning streak came to an end on Saturday after losing the second game of their doubleheader. Last week, the Storm Chasers went 5-2 and are 44-27 overall. They have a commanding 14 game lead in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division. They have off today before a four-game set at home against Memphis.

It was a tough week for NW Arkansas, as they went just 2-5. The Naturals dropped to a second-place tie at 35-33 in the Texas League’s North Division (five games back). They begin an eight-game homestand that leads up to the TL All-Star break.

Wilmington‘s tough first half came to an end on Sunday, as they lost their 41st game (tied for most in their history). Last week, the Blue Rocks went 1-6 and finished the first half with a 29-41 record (third place in the Carolina League’s Northern Division). They will enjoy the next three days off for the All-Star break before embarking on a seven-game road trip beginning in Carolina.

It was also a tough week for Kane County, who also went just 1-6. The Cougars finished the first half in the Midwest League with a 34-36 record, fifth place in the Western Division. They too will enjoy the All-Star break (though it’s four games and the Cougars are the host) before a short three-game road trip to Clinton.

Hitter of the Week

Majors: Billy Butler made the most of his at-bats this week. In five games (12 at-bats), he hit .417. His big hit came during Sunday’s marathon game. Butler hit a pinch-hit, two-out solo homerun to tie the game and send it into extra innings (which the Royals won in 15 innings).

Honorable Mention: Starters Vin Mazzaro and Bruce Chen. Both picked up singles during Interleague Play and Chen‘s came via a pinch-hit appearance.

Minors: Jorge Bonifacio had hits in six of seven games. He went 13-for-31 (.419) with four runs scored and 15 RBIs. He also had four doubles and two homeruns. The outfielder will be representing Kane County in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.

Pitcher of the Week

Majors: Luis Mendoza looked like the pitcher who dominated this spring in his last two starts. He carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning on June 12th before giving up a leadoff single to Ryan Braun. Overall, Mendoza allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks over 12.1 innings. He struck out nine.

Minors: Everett Teaford, Omaha. He was optioned back to the minors after his rehab stint was over. In two appearances (one start), he allowed just one run over eight innings. In picking up two victories, Teaford allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out four.

There was a crazy ending, but the KC Royals held on for the 3-2 win over St. Louis.

With pinch-hitter Rafel Furcal at the plate and two outs, Tyler Greene (who had singled) stole second base. The throw from catcher Humberto Quintero hit Greene as he was sliding and kicked into the outfield. Greene jumped up and took off for third base. Chris Getz picked up the ball and threw wide of third base. Greene then headed for home. Mike Moustakas hustled after the ball and made a perfect throw home to get Greene to end the game.

That crazy ending gave Jonathan Broxton his 16th save of the season. It also made a winner of Vin Mazzaro, who was spotless over six innings. He allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out four.

The Royals bullpen got smacked around a bit in the bottom of the 7th inning. Newly added to the roster Roman Colon (he’s baaack) allowed a leadoff single to David Freese and a one out RBI double to Matt Adams. After striking out Greene, Colon allowed a pinch-hit RBI single to Shane Robinson to cut the Royals lead to 3-2.

Aaron Crow got into trouble in the 8th inning, as he allowed two hits, but induced a double play ground out from Freese to end the threat.

So how did the Royals score their runs you ask?

Jarrod Dyson delivered a two out RBI single in the 2nd inning against Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse. Jeff Francoeur drove in a run with a single in the 3rd inning. Frenchy drove in another with a sac fly in the 7th inning.

Alex Gordon, Getz, and Dyson each had two hits.

*For more on the Cardinals, check out Aaron Miles’ Fastball.

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The I-70 series begins on Friday night, as the KC Royals travel to Busch Stadium to face the reigning World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Interleague matchup is just one 3-game series this season (instead of a home-and-home matchup like last year).

The Royals are coming off a series sweep at home versus Milwaukee, while the Cardinals won their series against the Chicago White Sox. The Cardinals moved into a tie for second place in the National League Central with Pittsburgh (three games back of Cincinnati).

Friday: Vin Mazzaro (2-1, 3.60 ERA) @ Kyle Lohse (6-1, 2.90 ERA)

Mazzaro is coming off a bad start against the Pirates (just three innings). How long he stays in the rotation will depend on how he continues to pitch.

Lohse has been dominant so far in June (0.66 ERA and a .106 opponent’s abtting average). He has allowed more than three earned runs in just two starts in 2012.

Saturday: Bruce Chen (5-6, 4.44 ERA) @ Joe Kelly (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

I feel like I write this every fifth day, but Chen has been the Royals most consistent starter.

Kelly made his Major League debut last Sunday and did not disappoint (one run on seven hits over five innings).

Sunday: Luis Mendoza (2-3, 4.89 ERA) @ Adam Wainwright (4-7, 4.75 ERA)

Mendoza hasn’t won a game since May 13th, but carried a no-hitter against the Brewers into the 7th inning in his last start.

Wainwright has gotten better and better with each start as the season has progressed. It is his first year back after Tommy John surgery.

Let the battle for Missouri begin!

*For more on the Cardinals, check out Aaron Miles’ Fastball.

The KC Royals knocked out Pittsburgh Pirates starter James McDonald (he of the second best ERA in baseball) after just four innings, but the problem was, Royals starter Vin Mazzaro did not make it out of the 4th inning. The Royals lost 5-3.

Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run homerun in the top of the 3rd inning that gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. They added another run in the top of the 4th inning on Mazzaro‘s RBI two out RBI single.

Then the wheels fell off for Mazzaro. It started off with a leadoff walk to Pedro Alvarez. He then hit Jose Tabata with a pitch. Rod Barajas followed with a single that loaded the bases. Next up was Clint Barmes, who drove in a run with an infield single. With the bases still loaded, Pittsburgh pinch-hit for McDonald with rookie Matt Hague. That brought out Royals manager Ned Yost, who pulled Mazzaro in favor of the hard-throwing Kelvin Herrera. He didn’t fare much better.

Hague drove in a run on a weird play (according to MLB’s gameday-I don’t live in the KC area and thus did not see it live). Alex Presley drove in another run with an infield single. Neil Walker drove in a run on a ground out before Herrera walked Andrew McCutchen. Garrett Jones drove in the Pirates final run on a force out.

So that’s five runs on three hits (two of which didn’t leave the infield).

» Continue reading “Five Run Inning Dooms Royals”