First Series Win

Series Analysis

Minnesota @ Kansas City

Friday April 20 KC 11-7 MIN

Saturday April 21 KC 5-7 MIN

Sunday April 22 KC 3-1 MIN

As the weather warms so do the bats. The Royals achieved their first series win of the season over reigning AL Central champion Minnesota Twins this weekend. It has to be a relief to finally come out on top of series.

All three pieces of the baseball puzzle came together for the Royals this weekend: Pitching, Hitting and Defense

The Royals bats came alive for the first time this season, aside from the Opening Day win. During the previous 16 games the Royals hit 10 homeruns, but during this 3 game set they cranked out 10 homers.

The bullpen held leads on two different days, granted they did blow a lead on Saturday, but 2 outta 3 ain't bad. The starting pitching was also the same formula, but reversed two not-so-good outing and one dominant performance.

Last, but not least, how about that Royals D! Tony Pena Jr. really flashed some leather and has made a "Web Gem" in each of the last three games, but Pena wasn't the only one playing D. The Royals turned 6 double plays this weekend.

Fridays game marked the beginning of the bats resurfacing. The Royals scored 11 runs beating Minnesota 11-7. Sweeney, Grudzielanek and Sanders all went deep helping pickup Odalis Perez's mediocre start(5 IP 4ER 2K 1BB). The other positive sign that arose from Fridays win was the bullpen holding a lead. Braun, Gobble and Wellemeyer all helped keep the lead and Riske came in a earned the save.

The Saturday game was another mediocre start for Kansas City. Greinke( 5 IP 4ER 2K 1BB) struggled his way through 5 innings, but managed to leave the game with a lead thanks to homeruns from Teahen and Gordon, before Joel Peralta blew his 3rd game of the year. Overall the game was pretty sloppy, but the Royals should have came out on top, but didn't.

If you happen to see Jorge De La Rosa out before his next start make sure you buy him a beer. De La Rosa(8 IP 0ER 1R 4K 1BB) pitched his butt off. He only surrendered one unearned run and after a rough first inning retired 16 straight Twins. After 8 innings from De La Rosa, Joakim Soria came in a nailed down the save striking out 2 in the process. The offense cooled down Sunday afternoon, only scoring three runs, but it was enough to earn the win.

Other Notes

- Sweeney had a good series at the plate 6/11 .545 BA 1HR 1DB 3RBI, bringing his season BA to .260

- Teahen did as well 6/11 .545 1HR 1DB 2RBI, raising his season BA to .268

- Gordon hit his second homerun of the year. His season BA is still only .136, but he did take 2BB this series

- DeJesus injured his ankle on Saturday afternoon and missed Sunday's game...he's not expected to miss extended time.

- Todd Wellemeyer's ERA is now at 9.49

- The Royals optioned Jason Standrigdge to AAA and brought up lefty Neil Musser

- Musser's MLB debut- 1/3 IP 2HA 1Unearned Run

- Royals batters struck out 21 times during the three game set

- Ross Gload hit his first homerun in a Royals uniform

- Grudzielanek also hit his 1 homerun on the year

- Reggie Sanders hit his 2nd of the year

Coming up next...a two game series against the White Sox

- Mark Buehrle who threw a no-hitter against the Rangers on April 18th pitches Monday night

Royals Fact: De La Rosa's 8 innings pitched is the longest outing of his career.

-b

Royals 2007 Record: 6- 12