CLEVELAND | The Royals sent Mark Teahen back to Kansas City before Sunday’s 7-0 victory against the Indians for further examination of the muscle spasms in his lower back. The ailment surfaced while Teahen fielded ground balls at third base before Saturday’s 13-6 loss at Progressive Field. “Just being cautious,” Teahen reported in a text message. “Feeling looser today. See you in Detroit.” Manager Trey Hillman said tentative plans call for Teahen to be examined early today. A best-case scenario would permit Teahen to rejoin the club in time for Tuesday’s series opener against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Teahen’s absence led, in part, to a makeshift infield when Hillman also chose to rest Alex Gordon and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. Alberto Callaspo switched from second base to third; Willie Bloomquist replaced Callaspo at second, and Luis Hernandez started at shortstop.Hillman departs, too Hillman left the traveling party immediately after the game because of what club officials termed “personal matters.” He is expected to return before Tuesday’s game in Detroit. Bench coach John Gibbons subbed for Hillman in the postgame news conference. Hillman left the club for three days earlier this month to attend funeral services for his father-in-law in Texas. His sister is battling breast cancer.Glove magic First baseman Billy Butler made two sparkling defensive plays in the first inning on successive grounders down the line. The first one was a nice snag on Michael Brantley’s sharp low-hopper behind the base. Butler flipped to pitcher Kyle Davies for the out. The second one was highlight material. Asdrubal Cabrera’s grounder struck the base and changed direction, but Butler recovered in time to make a bare-handed stop. Another toss to Davies completed the out. “It hit off the bag as I was going toward the line,” Butler said. “I just reached back. That’s the only thing I had left or it was by me. I tried to judge the trajectory and stuck my hand out. A little luck involved.”Officially eliminated The Royals’ recent surge delayed the inevitable, but they have now been officially eliminated from the postseason race. The math became absolute late Saturday when Chicago rallied for a victory at Los Angeles after the Royals’ loss to Cleveland.Looking back It was 23 years ago today — Sept. 14, 1986 — that Bo Jackson hit what remains the longest regular-season home run in the history of Kauffman Stadium. The blast was logged at 475 feet to left-center field and came while leading off the fourth inning against Mike Moore in a 10-3 victory over Seattle. It was also the first homer in Jackson’s career.Etc.•David DeJesus’ 14-game hitting streak is the longest of the season by a Royal.•Billy Butler’s 46 doubles moved him into a tie with Hal McRae (1982) and Mike Sweeney (2001) for the second-highest, single-season total in club history. McRae holds the record with 54 in 1977.

Posted on Sun, Sep. 13, 2009 11:06 PM

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Royals notebook | Teahen sent back to Kansas City for further exam on sore back

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

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CLEVELAND | The Royals sent Mark Teahen back to Kansas City before Sunday’s 7-0 victory against the Indians for further examination of the muscle spasms in his lower back.

The ailment surfaced while Teahen fielded ground balls at third base before Saturday’s 13-6 loss at Progressive Field.

“Just being cautious,” Teahen reported in a text message. “Feeling looser today. See you in Detroit.”

Manager Trey Hillman said tentative plans call for Teahen to be examined early today. A best-case scenario would permit Teahen to rejoin the club in time for Tuesday’s series opener against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Teahen’s absence led, in part, to a makeshift infield when Hillman also chose to rest Alex Gordon and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

Alberto Callaspo switched from second base to third; Willie Bloomquist replaced Callaspo at second, and Luis Hernandez started at shortstop.

Hillman departs, too

Hillman left the traveling party immediately after the game because of what club officials termed “personal matters.” He is expected to return before Tuesday’s game in Detroit.

Bench coach John Gibbons subbed for Hillman in the postgame news conference. Hillman left the club for three days earlier this month to attend funeral services for his father-in-law in Texas. His sister is battling breast cancer.

Glove magic

First baseman Billy Butler made two sparkling defensive plays in the first inning on successive grounders down the line.

The first one was a nice snag on Michael Brantley’s sharp low-hopper behind the base. Butler flipped to pitcher Kyle Davies for the out.

The second one was highlight material.

Asdrubal Cabrera’s grounder struck the base and changed direction, but Butler recovered in time to make a bare-handed stop. Another toss to Davies completed the out.

“It hit off the bag as I was going toward the line,” Butler said. “I just reached back. That’s the only thing I had left or it was by me. I tried to judge the trajectory and stuck my hand out. A little luck involved.”

Officially eliminated

The Royals’ recent surge delayed the inevitable, but they have now been officially eliminated from the postseason race. The math became absolute late Saturday when Chicago rallied for a victory at Los Angeles after the Royals’ loss to Cleveland.

Looking back

It was 23 years ago today — Sept. 14, 1986 — that Bo Jackson hit what remains the longest regular-season home run in the history of Kauffman Stadium.

The blast was logged at 475 feet to left-center field and came while leading off the fourth inning against Mike Moore in a 10-3 victory over Seattle.

It was also the first homer in Jackson’s career.

Etc.

•David DeJesus’ 14-game hitting streak is the longest of the season by a Royal.

•Billy Butler’s 46 doubles moved him into a tie with Hal McRae (1982) and Mike Sweeney (2001) for the second-highest, single-season total in club history. McRae holds the record with 54 in 1977.

Posted on Sun, Sep. 13, 2009 11:06 PM

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