Royals notebook: Soria unfazed by end of scoreless-innings streak

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Ramirez, 24, was the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year and carried a .317 average into Saturday with nine homers and 23 RBIs in 41 games.

Mock draft

No media outlet tracks baseball’s annual draft closer than Baseball America, which makes its first mock draft — available at www.baseballamerica.com — an interesting discussion point.

The magazine projects the Royals to take Florida State catcher Buster Posey with the third overall pick when teams gather June 5-6 in Orlando, Fla. If so, that would set up a third straight summer of negotiating with agent Scott Boras.

The BA mock draft has Tampa Bay taking Georgia high school shortstop Tim Beckham with the first pick, and Pittsburgh following with Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez.

Minor details

Right-hander Kyle Davies lowered his ERA to 2.09 by pitching six shutout innings Friday night in Class AAA Omaha’s 6-2 victory at Albuquerque.

Davies improved to 5-2 as he allowed five hits while striking out four and walking two. He threw 59 strikes in 96 pitches. Davies gave up one run and five hits in six innings in his previous start, a 9-5 victory over Portland.

Etc.

•Hitting coach Mike Barnett rejoined the club after missing Friday’s game to attend the high school graduation of his son, Anthony, in Tennessee. Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez is Anthony Barnett’s godfather. Mike Barnett and Gonzalez coached together from 1987-89 at the University of Tennessee.

•The Royals entered Saturday in search of their first six-game winning streak since they opened the 2003 season with nine straight victories. Their five-game streak was their first since last June 24-29.

•The Royals entered Saturday’s game with a 10-9 road record. They haven’t finished with a winning road record since going 43-39 in 2003.

•The Royals also entered Saturday with 21 victories in their last 34 interleague games.

Closers: Still perfect in save opportunities

(Through Friday)

Joe Nathan, Twins, 13 for 13

Joakim Soria, Royals, 11 for 11

Mariano Rivera, Yankees, 11 for 11

Brad Lidge, Phillies, 10 for 10

Matt Capps, Pirates, 9 for 9

B.J. Ryan, Blue Jays, 7 for 7

Royals’ closers: Perfect at the start

Pitcher, Year, Successful saves to start a season

Joakim Soria*, 2008, 11

Al Hrabosky, 1978, 11

Mike MacDougal, 2003, 10

Steve Farr, 1989, 10

Steve Mingori, 1976, 10

* Through Friday

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To reach Bob Dutton, call 816-234-4352 or send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com.