Into the Basement

By Tim Pafford

        With yesterday's loss to the Minnesota Twins, the Royals are now in last place by half a game.  The last 16 games have been rough, with the team losing thirteen of those games with a few sweeps to make the losses sting even more.

        Though yesterday's game was the closest between the Twins and the Royals, it was still a loss by two runs with several runners stranded on base throughout the game.  The missing David DeJesus was missed greatly with his ability to get to base and bat in run.  Even star players were not their best with Joakim Soria throwing a wild pitch that allowed the base runner to advance and eventually score, making it impossible for the Royals to come back and avoid the sweep by their division rivals.

      Now will start the process of solidifying the team to be ready for next season.  Scott Podsednik was traded to LA last night for a relief catcher and a potential rising star pitcher from the minor leagues.  This could be a great chance for the team to rebuild, or could be another case of trading away players with numbers for youngsters who maybe.  Time will tell.  Contracts are running out, and even those who love the Royals are starting to lose hope when the best of the team continue to get hurt or are traded off.

Soria, Hurt!?

       During last night's game against the Angles, Joakim Saoria through a pitch that had him hopping off the mound in pain.  Though trainers and other members of the team came out to ask how he was, he refused to leave the game.  Several pitches after seemed tentative and cautious to the cheers of the LA crowd.  The velosity was down and his aim was not the pin point accuracy we are used to seeing.  He had to use his team mates to assist in getting the save.

        Let us hope that he is ok and did not push himself too much if he is really hurt.  To loss him could mean the end of the Royal's hard work and reoccurring winning ways. Let us hope any injury is treated seriously and rehabilitation is the answer and not the effect if they put him back on the mound too soon.

UPDATE:

       Soria has been picked as Kansas City's Rep for the 2010 All-Star game!  Here's to an amazing closer, and team player, to showing off his skills for the Nation and the world. 

Chicago Down!

 By Tim Pafford

       Two very important wins were accomplished by the Royals this week. They took Chicago to a 2-1 series victory when it was needed the most.  The Royals took the wind out of the sails one of the hottest team in baseball, and improved their numbers in their division doing so.
       All three games were hard fought and close.  The first game was beautiful; the Royals were ahead when it mattered in dramatic fashion to win the game.
       Game two was a heart breaker, with the Royals looking to come back in the 8th, but we cut short just before tying the game, and not getting enough momentum in the 9th to pull off a "W".
       The third game was dramatic from start to finish.  Both teams scored early in the game and then held each other to one untill the Royals had a blow out inning with Guillen hitting a three run homer and aiding to a 7-1 lead heading to the later innings.  The Sox came back to make it a 7-6 game in the 8th, but once Soria was put onto the mound, the game was over with fireworks from Guillen making a spectacular catch right at the moment of contact with the outfield wall!  The Royals had won the series, and now are onto the next series where they will battle against LA in LA.

They Have Done it Again!

 By Tim Pafford

        The  Royals have beaten a number one team.  They took down the team they were told they couldn't.  But they did.  They went for a 2-1 series victory against the St. Louis Cardinals.   (They won the third game by seven runs.   They didn't even feel the need to bring out the Mexicutiuoner!) 
       What a series!  Not even the best players in the sport could touch our team!  I think it is only good news of things to come.  The Royals have come to trail the lead by 9 games, and are eating away at that margin nearly every game. 
       The White Socks are next.  But we have em.  They are the next number one team that need to be taken down!   Royals, have at it!