Umpires. . .

Wow. I really don't hardly ever complain (well, OK, just a little) about the umpires. I mean I can understand a bad call, when it is a bang-bang play it is a tough call to make. But it's when umpires start making the game about themselves more than the player.

Take for instance last night after a close call on a check swing on Mike Aviles. After a two strike pitch it was ruled that Aviles went around on the pitch. Ok fine. Whatever. Then after Aviles is called out to end the game the homeplate umpire (not the ump that made the call on the check swing) initiates a conversation to Aviles, clearly creating a scene between the two. I don't know how long the two had the conversation (possibly 15-30 seconds), but the key to the point is why?

The game is already over, why does the umpire feel the need to initiate something with a player after the game. Constantly through out the series with Chicago every close call has gone against the Royals, which isn't necessarily uncommon, but since they are the home team it is said they get the calls.

On Tuesday night umpire Bill Hohn misses a call on a clear runner interfernce call, to me it isn't the fact that he missed the call, but after Hillman came out to argue and asked him to conference with other umpires. Hohn refused to conference and that turned to be a very critical part of the game, not the only reason the Royals lost but a definite turning point. Anyway, first pitch tonight at 7:10, Greinke vs. Buehrle.

Later,

1RW

Royals drop a to Chigago in 13 innings

Leading and having most of the game in control, the Royals fell apart down the stretch and lost to the division-leading White Sox 8-7. After an apparent no call on runner interference in the 11th provided a scoring chance for Chicago. A.J Pierzynski hammered one to right-center and was caught by Joey Gathright on a diving catch. This scored 2 runners. The Royals responded with a Mike Aviles RBI and an Alex Gordon RBI double with 2 outs. In the 13th a perfect hit and run that scored Alexi Ramirez from first. After loading the bases in the bottom half with one out Mark Grudzielanek grounded into a 6-4-3 DP to end the game. It was a brutal game for the Royals to lose, but they get another chance at them tonight.

Royals take 2 out of 3 agaisnt O's...

First of all Happy 4th of July. Hope you have a good one.

The Royals used a 7 run sixth inning to get out to a 10-7 lead.

From Yahoo:

- J. Guillen walked

- B. Butler doubled to deep center, J. Guillen to third

- M. Olivo struck out swinging

- M. Teahen safe at first on first baseman K. Millar's fielding error, J. Guillen scored, B. Butler to third

- A. Loewen relieved G. Olson

- R. Gload singled to right, B. Butler scored, M. Teahen to second

- T. Pena Jr. singled to shortstop, M. Teahen to third, R. Gload to second

- D. DeJesus singled to right, M. Teahen scored, R. Gload to third, T. Pena Jr. to second

- C. Bradford relieved A. Loewen

- M. Grudzielanek singled to right, R. Gload scored, T. Pena Jr. to third, D. DeJesus to second

- A. Gordon hit sacrifice fly to deep left, T. Pena Jr. scored, D. DeJesus to third, M. Grudzielanek to second

- J. Guillen singled to center, M. Grudzielanek and D. DeJesus scored

- B. Butler grounded out to shortstop

7 runs, 6 hits, 1 errors

Kansas City 10, Baltimore 7

It was nice to see about everybody get in the action as 8 of 9 Royals drove in a run.

STOP THE PRESSES!!

Tony Pena Jr. just hit a homerun. To add on to that, Billy Butler hit a homerun as well.

Interesting note:

Splittorff: "Maybe Pena sees this as a opportunity to get his starting job back."

Really?? Pass the stuff Paul.

Royals on hot-streak...

With the Royals on their recent hot streak with 11 wins in their last 14 times out. With this recent streak they have gotten back to 8 games under .500 and are 9.5 games out of first. Whether it was interleague play or just the Royals playing well, I don't know. I just hope it transfers over to American league games.

Butler is back up now after being down in Omaha for awhile, he was called up after Alberto Callaspo went on a drunk driving escapade. Listening to Royals Live right now, Butler is in the lineup tonight as the DH.

Hopefully the Royals can win in Baltimore, they haven't won there in the last 2 years. Greinke vs. Burres tonight.

Mike Aviles

This dude has been raking so far. His three HR's so far in is 45 at bats, are the only three HR's by a Royals shortstop this year. Maybe Aviles is a fluke or is just on a total hot streak right now, but right now I really hope that Aviles can be a consistant player at a position that the Royals were awful at.

Royals take 2 out of 3 in Arizona: Head to STL

The Royals got off into the second round of interleague play with taking two out of three from the D-Backs. After being held scoreless in the first game of the series, the Royals went off for 20 runs in the last two games. The Royals were lead by David DeJesus, who in the final game of the set had a grand slam. DeJesus had a total of 5 RBI's in the series.


On to St. Louis:
The Royals will make a trip to their intrastate rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals, with a record of 42-29 and the current leader in the NL Wild Card Standings. The series starts on Tuesday with Kyle Davies going against Braden Looper.