| REGISTER TO WIN | |
 |
MINNEAPOLIS | It’s only six games, but the Royals’ bullpen shows signs of emerging as a bankable strength after a series of shaky performances by several relievers in spring training.
The latest example came Sunday when four relievers combined to limit the Twins to one run and two hits over the final four innings and closed out a 3-1 victory at the Metrodome.
That run wasn’t cheap. It was a towering 429-foot homer by Justin Morneau against Ron Mahay in the sixth. But it was also only the second run yielded by the relief corps this season in 17 innings over a combined 15 appearances.
“I don’t want to say we’re locked in,” left-hander Jimmy Gobble said, “but it was a pretty good week. We have a long way to go. There are going to be ups and downs, but the key is holding it when we get ahead.”
Leo Nuñez has three scoreless appearances as a setup reliever. Gobble is a situational lefty who has faced four left-handers and retired them all. The unit as a whole has allowed only eight hits while striking out 22 and walking three.
Joakim Soria already has three saves in addition to closing out the club’s other victory in a nonsave situation.
It’s quite a turnaround from spring training, when the unit’s seven members allowed 47 runs in 68 2/3 innings.
“Our bullpen was a strength last year,” catcher John Buck said.
“Everybody started shying away from it because of our spring. But that was Arizona. They worked the kinks out.”
Soria struck out the side Sunday in the ninth on 12 pitches. That only figures to fuel those ongoing comparisons, however unfair, to Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
“Hopefully, it will be that way all season,” Soria smiled. “I hope every time I pitch is like that.”
DeJesus still limited
It was a week ago today that center fielder David DeJesus aggravated a sprained left ankle while chasing after Carlos Guillen’s double in Detroit. While DeJesus contends his ankle is improved — “It’s getting better every day” — his availability for Tuesday’s home opener is far from certain.
“I’m definitely not going to push him for the home opener if he’s not ready,” manager Trey Hillman said. “We’ll see if he is.”
Emergency catcher
Every team designates an emergency third catcher, but the job could carry extra weight for the Royals because Hillman plans to use Miguel Olivo as a designated hitter or a pinch hitter on occasion.
Esteban German, take a step forward.
“We’ll ease him into it,” Hillman said. “I told Germy, it’s just an emergency-emergency-emergency only. He said he was very accepting to it, but that he’s never done it.”
German said he was surprised at the assignment.
“I guess we’ll see,” he said, smiling.
Hillman said he learned to be an emergency catcher while playing in the minors. Like German, he was an infielder.
“He’s athletic enough,” Hillman said. “I learned it within two weeks of my first full season at Double-A. If Trey Hillman can do it in Double-A, I’m sure Esteban German can do it, with his much better athleticism, in the major leagues.”
Pitching matchups
Gil Meche will get an extra day of rest before his next start after giving up six runs in 5 2/3 innings Saturday in a 6-4 loss to the Twins. That means the Royals will use Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke and John Bale for their upcoming three-game series against the New York Yankees.
Meche’s next start will be another test look against the Twins, who arrive Friday for a three-game weekend series.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.