GAME SUMMARYGil Meche and Hideo Nomo each gave up notable three-run homers Saturday afternoon as the Royals absorbed an 8-3 pounding from the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park.
But what a difference.
For Meche, the homer by Corey Hart represented a hiccup in an otherwise dominant outing. For Nomo, the blast by J.J. Hardy could be a critical blow to his long-shot bid to win a spot in the rotation.
“Nomo is still interesting because he misses bats,” manager Trey Hillman said, “but we’re getting to a point where we’re going to have to make some decisions.”
Officially, Nomo allowed five runs and seven hits in three innings.
He actually pitched a scoreless ninth because the teams agreed in advance to play 10 full innings.
The Royals, 9-8, did little against Brewers starter Manny Parra, who yielded just one unearned run in five innings while striking out seven.
“Parra was very impressive,” Hillman said.
“I don’t want to take anything away from him, but I’d like to see us fight better at the plate.”
ARMS RACE
Hillman confirmed the obvious after the game — that barring a health issue, Meche will start the season opener March 31 at Detroit.
Meche couldn’t have been happier at his performance despite yielding three runs and six hits in five innings. He struck out eight and issued two costly walks.
“I felt great,” he said. “Even when I struck out (Corey) Hart at the end, I felt I still had my best stuff in my arm. I didn’t get tired. That’s the kind of start I needed to see.
“I’ve been feeling great, but I needed to go out there and repeat pitches.”
Meche breezed through the first three innings, striking out six, before starting the fourth with successive walks. Hart followed with a no-doubt blast to left for a three-run homer.
“Granted, you don’t want to give up a three-run homer,” Meche said, “but I’ve been waiting to see that stuff come out of my arm.”
REGULAR GUYS
David DeJesus went hitless in four at-bats and has just two hits in his last 18 at-bats. Mark Teahen struck out three times against Parra before flying out in the eighth against Dave Bush.
John Buck also struck out three times before punching an RBI single into center against Bush in the ninth.
INJURY UPDATES
Catcher Miguel Olivo went through a light workout in Surprise after being diagnosed with a strained right groin. He suffered the injury when he spun away from an inside pitch in Friday’s loss to the Rangers. He could be ready to return to action by mid-week.
Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek returned to camp after being diagnosed Friday in Kansas City with a strained lower back. Club officials say the injury isn’t believed to be serious but have no target date for Grudzielanek’s return to action.
First baseman Billy Butler is the latest flu victim. He was sent home Saturday after being issued medication. Outfielder Jose Guillen seems on the road to recovery after missing the last two days. He worked out Saturday morning in Surprise.
ON DECK
Rain is forecast and temperatures are expected to top out in the mid-50s today when the Royals meet the Giants at Surprise Stadium. Zack Greinke is scheduled to work five innings.
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