Royals pitcher Gil Meche is tentatively scheduled to return from the disabled list in time to start Thursday’s game in Minnesota, manager Trey Hillman said.Meche made his second rehab start for Class AAA Omaha on Saturday, working five innings, allowing one run, three hits and three walks. He struck out two while throwing 85 pitches, including 53 strikes.That was his second game action since July 11, when muscle spasms in his back forced him to leave a start in Boston after 3 2/3 innings. Meche would have about 10 more starts this season.“We’ll see how he is once we see him today,” Hillman said before Sunday’s game. “He felt good, didn’t feel his back at all, and his arm felt good. The report was good on his stuff.”An average LukeLuke Hochevar has now surrendered four or more runs in five of his last seven starts and given up nine homers over that stretch. That’s indicative of Hochevar’s boom-or-bust season so far.Bill James invented a stat called Game Score to measure a pitcher’s effectiveness. Essentially, 50 is right at average, with anything below 40 being pretty bad and anything above 60 being very good.Hochevar’s Game Score from Sunday is exactly 50, his first between 43 and 59 this season. Hochevar’s disastrous season debut rated a 9, and his 80-pitch complete game rated a 79.That means his worst start was among the worst 1 percent of starts across baseball this season, and his best start was among the best 3 percent.Gordon gets a breakAlex Gordon did not start Sunday’s game, given a day off by Hillman after singling, walking, and stealing a base on Saturday.Hillman continues to be encouraged by Gordon physically but also continues to believe there’s more soreness and stiffness than Gordon will admit.Hillman said he’s seen enough good signs from Gordon physically that he’s closer to playing in a day game after a night game.“We’ll do it sooner or later,” Hillman said. “More important, things I think about that maybe doesn’t pop into (reporters’) minds is not only last night, but what’s coming up. We’ll be on carpet for three days (at Minnesota). I like for his body to be as refreshed, and I don’t anticipate him playing all three days on the carpet.”Etc.•Only 21 of the Royals’ remaining 51 games are against teams with losing records.•Alberto Callaspo’s double was his 30th this season, moving him into a tie for 10th in the American League. Billy Butler is second with 36.•Yuniesky Betancourt is 10 for 28 with five extra-base hits in his last seven games.

Posted on Sun, Aug. 09, 2009 10:39 PM

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Royals notebook: Hillman says Meche will start Thursday

By SAM MELLINGER

The Kansas City Star

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Royals pitcher Gil Meche is tentatively scheduled to return from the disabled list in time to start Thursday’s game in Minnesota, manager Trey Hillman said.

Meche made his second rehab start for Class AAA Omaha on Saturday, working five innings, allowing one run, three hits and three walks. He struck out two while throwing 85 pitches, including 53 strikes.

That was his second game action since July 11, when muscle spasms in his back forced him to leave a start in Boston after 3 2/3 innings.

Meche would have about 10 more starts this season.

“We’ll see how he is once we see him today,” Hillman said before Sunday’s game.

“He felt good, didn’t feel his back at all, and his arm felt good. The report was good on his stuff.”

An average Luke

Luke Hochevar has now surrendered four or more runs in five of his last seven starts and given up nine homers over that stretch. That’s indicative of Hochevar’s boom-or-bust season so far.

Bill James invented a stat called Game Score to measure a pitcher’s effectiveness. Essentially, 50 is right at average, with anything below 40 being pretty bad and anything above 60 being very good.

Hochevar’s Game Score from Sunday is exactly 50, his first between 43 and 59 this season. Hochevar’s disastrous season debut rated a 9, and his 80-pitch complete game rated a 79.

That means his worst start was among the worst 1 percent of starts across baseball this season, and his best start was among the best 3 percent.

Gordon gets a break

Alex Gordon did not start Sunday’s game, given a day off by Hillman after singling, walking, and stealing a base on Saturday.

Hillman continues to be encouraged by Gordon physically but also continues to believe there’s more soreness and stiffness than Gordon will admit.

Hillman said he’s seen enough good signs from Gordon physically that he’s closer to playing in a day game after a night game.

“We’ll do it sooner or later,” Hillman said. “More important, things I think about that maybe doesn’t pop into (reporters’) minds is not only last night, but what’s coming up. We’ll be on carpet for three days (at Minnesota). I like for his body to be as refreshed, and I don’t anticipate him playing all three days on the carpet.”

Etc.

•Only 21 of the Royals’ remaining 51 games are against teams with losing records.

•Alberto Callaspo’s double was his 30th this season, moving him into a tie for 10th in the American League. Billy Butler is second with 36.

•Yuniesky Betancourt is 10 for 28 with five extra-base hits in his last seven games.

Posted on Sun, Aug. 09, 2009 10:39 PM

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