Royals notebook: KC struggling at home
On the road, the Royals are doing exactly what a team that hopes to make the playoffs is supposed to do. They are 9-9 away from Kauffman Stadium.
Since winning their first two home games, the Royals have struggled in Kansas City. After Saturday’s loss, the Royals are 6-12.
The good news is it is still early enough in the season to reverse the trend.
“I think it has got to be coincidence,” Royals outfielder Mark Teahen said of the better road record. “You assume you play better in front of a crowd that supports you.
“For whatever reason, we have played better on the road. It’s a long season. Before it is all said and done, hopefully we will play our best ball here.”
Royals manager Trey Hillman said the team missed an opportunity to build momentum on Friday when it took a 2-0 lead in the first and had runners on second and third with one out in the second, but failed to score.
“You can build on momentum or you can negate it,” Hillman said.
The Royals’ offense at home has done more negating than building.
“I can’t give you any specific explanation other than the fact we need more offensive production,” Hillman said.
Mother’s Day bats
Teahen plans to use a pink bat today. All around baseball, players are using pink bats on Mother’s Day to help raise breast cancer awareness.
“I’m looking forward to swinging it,” Teahen said. “It’s always fun to change it up a little bit and it raises awareness for breast cancer.”
Teahen said he will definitely call his mother today.
“The flowers have already been sent, but don’t tell her,” Teahen said. “My two brothers are out West and they will get her a gift or something, and I will take care of the flowers.
“I feel like I try to appreciate my mom every day of the year, but it’s nice to dedicate a full day to thank your mom for everything she does.”
Looking to get hot again
When Brian Bannister won his first three games and had a 0.86 ERA, he said he was a streaky pitcher.
Bannister, who is now 3-4 with a 4.46 ERA, hopes to return to his earlier form this afternoon when he faces the Baltimore Orioles in the final game of a four-game series.
“When you are pitching well, you keep everything the same,” Bannister said. “If you are executing your pitches better than average, you stick with it.
“Inevitably, all pitchers hit cold streaks, and it’s kind of nice every once in a while because you step back, re-evaluate your mechanics, the way you approach hitters and you see the league adjusting to you in a certain manner.
“It kind of refreshes you as a pitcher. It’s healthy. It helps you get back to your fundamentals.”
Guillen feeling pain
Outfielder José Guillen almost didn’t start Saturday night because he was feeling soreness in his right hip flexor.
Guillen tested his leg before the game and was good enough to play as the designated hitter. With damp conditions, it wasn’t wise to play him in the outfield.
“It is legitimate soreness, but he wants to play,” Hillman said.
The outfield Saturday night consisted of Esteban German playing left, David DeJesus in right and Joey Gathright in center. It’s the first time that DeJesus has played in right since he played six games there in 2004.
To reach David Boyce, send e-mail to dboyce@kcstar.com
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