Royals notebook: Frank White impressed with Peña’s defense
By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star
Eight-time Gold Glove winner Frank White called Tony Peña’s sliding-stop, throw-from-the-knees, with-the-bases-loaded play on Adam Lind Saturday night “one of the greatest plays I’ve ever seen.”
So what does Peña think? Best play he’s ever made?
“Just the situation of the game,” Peña said, “Yeah, I think it is.”
Peña said the throw he made from his back to Alex Gordon to get Asdrubal Cabrera out at third on Thursday was also among his personal best, along with a couple of others.
Told of White’s assessment on Peña’s play, Royals manager Trey Hillman didn’t argue.
“Frank’s seen a lot more than I have,” Hillman said. “Phenomenal play. He’s a great athlete, a great athlete. Pitching and defense, that’s how we’re going to win most of our games.”
More patience needed
Royals hitters drew no walks and saw just 111 pitches (compared with 171 thrown by Royals pitchers) on Sunday.
The Royals entered Sunday’s games next to last in the American League in walks. Hillman said his team “went backwards” in its collective approach on Sunday, when Jesse Litsch got through seven innings with no walks and 93 pitches.
The Royals had drawn seven walks in the first two games against the Blue Jays.
“Our approach wasn’t good,” Hillman said. “It wasn’t just in the 0-0 count. It was our balance. I’m not trying to take anything away from Litsch; he pitched well. But we made his line look better than it should’ve been if we’d had the approach we’ve had more recently.”
Monthly awards
Alex Gordon and Zack Greinke won the Royals’ player and pitcher of the month awards for April.
Gordon entered Sunday’s game leading the team in batting average, runs, hits and total bases and tied for the lead in home runs. Greinke is 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA, and his .226 batting average against ranked 11th in the American League entering Sunday’s games.
Coming up
The Royals have today off before a six-game trip against the Rangers and Indians. The Rangers had lost 13 of their last 16 before beating the Twins 10-0 on Sunday.
Jason Jennings, Texas’ scheduled starter on Tuesday, has struggled. He’s given up at least four runs and lasted no longer than five innings in four of his five starts.
Etc.
•Mark Grudzielanek missed his fifth straight game because of a sore back. Officially, he’s still day-to-day but did not appear as a pinch hitter for Peña in the eighth inning facing lefty B.J. Ryan and down one run.
•Jorge De La Rosa gave up two runs, two walks and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings of Omaha’s 3-2 win over Nashville on Sunday. He’s now 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA.
To reach Sam Mellinger, call 816-234-4365 or send e-mail to smellinger@kcstar.com
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