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Baseball Today (AP)

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:21:10 PDT

Royals Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 13 May 2008 03:09:47 PDT

The Royals left spring training hoping they would be battling the Tigers for supremacy in the American League Central.

A quarter of the way through the season, the Royals are fighting the Tigers, but for last place, not first. The teams open a three-game series Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium as the Royals complete a 10-game home stand.

Despite their off-season acquisitions, the Tigers are a disappointing 16-22 and in fifth place, a half-game behind the Royals, who are 16-21.

The Tigers opened the season at home and were swept in a three-game series by the Royals. The Tigers scored just five runs in the three losses and only one in the final two games.

Royals pitchers limited Detroit to a .206 batting average (only 21 hits in 29 innings) and logged a 1.55...

The Scorecard: Paul DePodesta joins the baseball blogosphere (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:49:10 PDT

The big baseball blogosphere news to break over the weekend was the revelation that Paul DePodesta has started...

Baseball Power Poll: Florida teams surge into top 5 (SportingNews.com)

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:56:26 PDT

Every week Sean Deveney looks at the action and ranks all the teams as he sees them.

Bannister pitches Kansas City Royals to win (AP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 15:18:05 PDT

Twelve straight losses to the Baltimore Orioles was a dirty dozen for Kansas City Royals. Brian Bannister allowed two singles in eight innings and the Royals beat Baltimore 4-0 Sunday to end their skid against the Orioles. It was Kansas City's first victory over Baltimore since July 25, 2006. "Regardless if you were here all 12 of those losses, I think we needed to take it on ourselves to end this...

Millar helps Orioles beat Royals (AP)

Sat, 10 May 2008 22:31:11 PDT

Three-run homers have gone from uncommon to commonplace for the Baltimore Orioles. Kevin Millar hit a three-run drive and finished with three hits to help the Orioles beat Kansas City 6-5 on a rainy Saturday night for their 12th straight victory over the Royals. Millar, who entered hitting just .186 in his previous 15 games, homered just inside the left-field foul pole on a 2-1 pitch from Brett...

Hudson progressing in Arizona (AP)

Sat, 10 May 2008 16:24:28 PDT

Luke Hudson, who had shoulder surgery last June and opened this season on the Royals' disabled list, could begin throwing batting practice soon. Hudson, who was in Kansas City's rotation in 2006, is rehabbing at the team's Surprise, Ariz., complex. J.J. Picollo, director of player development for the Royals, said Saturday that Hudson is getting close to pitching in games.

Huff, Mora homers key Baltimore past KC (AP)

Fri, 09 May 2008 22:09:46 PDT

Aubrey Huff was surprised when the Kansas City Royals decided to intentionally walk Nick Markakis in the fifth inning. He quickly focused on delivering a clutch hit for the Baltimore Orioles. Huff hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and Baltimore beat Kansas City 7-4 Friday night for its 11th straight victory over the Royals.

Grudzielanek moved to fifth slot in order (AP)

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:51:14 PDT

Royals manager Trey Hillman shook up his batting order again Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles. Hillman dropped Mark Grudzielanek, who had batted only in the second slot, to fifth and Mark Teahen took over the second spot. Miguel Olivo, who was tied for the club lead with four home runs in limited action, batted cleanup for the first time this year.

Markakis homer keys Baltimore past KC (AP)

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:14:58 PDT

This was the guy who led the American League in losses last year? Actually, no, say Daniel Cabrera's manager and teammates. The poised, 6-foot-9 pitcher who shut down Kansas City on three hits while leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-1 victory Thursday night is a far different pitcher than he was in 2007.

DeJesus, Gordon homer in Royals win (AP)

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:11:52 PDT

With an umpire behind the plate that has given him bad dreams, Zack Greinke was nervous. Throwing 27 pitches in a shaky first inning when he gave up two walks and a single didn't help, either. Then Greinke settled down and his Kansas City teammates started doing what they hardly ever do, scoring runs in bunches.

Anderson has five RBIs, Angels beat Royals 5-3 (AP)

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:27:45 PDT

Exactly what brought Garret Anderson out of a frightful early-season slump and put him on a power surge remains a mystery. "You just wouldn't understand," Anderson politely but firmly told reporters Tuesday night after driving in every run in the California Angels' 5-3 victory over Kansas City. "It would be very hard to explain," said Anderson.

Angels' Santana shuts out Kansas City 4-0 (AP)

Mon, 05 May 2008 20:59:04 PDT

So was this the best game Ervin Santana ever threw? "So far," said the Los Angeles Angels' unbeaten right-hander, a sly smile spreading across his face. In his first complete game since the night he got his first major league victory in 2005, Santana (6-0) allowed four hits and no walks and struck out nine in a masterful 4-0 victory Monday night over Kansas City.

KC pitcher apologizes for injuring hand (AP)

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:43:42 PDT

Appearing embarrassed and uncomfortable, John Bale apologized Monday for punching a door and breaking his pitching hand. "I'd like to apologize first of all to the Royals organization, my teammates, my coaching staff, for my action. It was uncalled for," Bale said. "It was, you know, a moment of frustration and I wish I could do anything I could to take it back.

Baseball Power Poll: D-backs tops even before Scherzer (SportingNews.com)

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:26:26 PDT

The Diamondbacks already have Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Randy Johnson and Micah Owings in their rotation. Add in phenom Max Scherzer and it's not hard to see why they are No. 1.

Meche, Royals blank Indians (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 17:32:20 PDT

A little over a month into the season and Cleveland manager Eric Wedge is searching for answers as the Indians struggle to score runs. Sunday's 2-0 loss to Kansas City provided even more frustration for Wedge. Gil Meche pitched seven shutout innings and a throwing error by third baseman Casey Blake broke a scoreless tie in the fifth.

Royals P Bale breaks hand (PA SportsTicker)

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:24:15 PDT

Already on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his throwing shoulder, Kansas City Royals lefthander John Bale broke his left hand Friday during a fit of temper.

KC pitcher breaks hand punching door in team hotel (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 10:34:05 PDT

Kansas City Royals left-hander John Bale, already on the disabled list due to a tight shoulder, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team's hotel Friday night. A club spokesman said Bale informed team officials he had pain in his hand after arriving at Progressive Field for Saturday night's game against Cleveland.

Royals rally to beat Indians 4-2 (AP)

Sat, 03 May 2008 21:24:35 PDT

Billy Butler figured it was about time the Kansas City Royals did something big against C.C. Sabathia. Butler's tie-breaking single sparked Kansas City's four-run seventh, leading the Royals to a 4-2 win over Sabathia and the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night. "We were due," Butler said. "I don't know if he was tired or what, but we put together some good at-bats in the seventh.

Royals-Indians game postponed by rain (AP)

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:49:53 PDT

Indians hitting coach Derek Shelton didn't mind getting a break when Cleveland's scheduled game against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night was postponed by rain. No makeup date was announced and both managers said they would use Friday's scheduled starters on Saturday. Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar (1-1) will oppose Cleveland left-hander C.C.

Bullpen killing Braves in one-run games (SportingNews.com)

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:16:54 PDT

The Atlanta Braves opened the season with a vicious, everything-can-go-wrong month. The Braves went only 6-10...

A's and Rays head April honors (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:59:00 PDT

One month into the season, surprises are plentiful and individual awards start and end with Cliff Lee.

Ponson wins for first time in year, Rangers beat Royals (AP)

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:08:57 PDT

When Sidney Ponson got released by Minnesota last May, the big right-hander knew he wasn't physically or mentally ready to keep pitching. So he went home and was out of the major leagues until last week. Now his pitches are sinking again, and his confidence is soaring. Ponson went eight innings to earn his first victory in exactly a year and the Texas Rangers finished off a successful homestand with...

Why the Kansas City Royals shouldn't sign Barry Bonds (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 01 May 2008 11:55:04 PDT

With Barry Bonds currently out of work and teams looking to improve their lot in MLB, the Shunned One's name...

Hamilton's grand slam lifts Rangers 11-9 (AP)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:57:10 PDT

Josh Hamilton was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing April for the Texas Rangers. Hamilton capped a torrid first month with his first career grand slam and the Rangers hit a season-high five home runs to beat the Kansas City Royals 11-9 Wednesday night. The Rangers acquired Hamilton in the offseason from Cincinnati.

Royals trade P De La Rosa to Rockies (PA SportsTicker)

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:35:13 PDT

The Kansas City Royals traded pitcher Jorge De La Rosa and cash to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named on Wednesday.

Guillen drives in 5 to lead Royals to 9-5 win over Rangers (AP)

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:25:29 PDT

Jose Guillen had driven in just five runs all season. The Kansas City Royals hadn't scored more than eight runs in any game. That all changed Tuesday night, when Guillen doubled his RBI total and the Royals reached a season high in defeating the Texas Rangers 9-5. "For this offense to come around, I had to start swinging the bat better.