Royals notebook: Lack of speed contributes to offensive woes

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Minor details

Right-hander Julio Pimentel, one of the organization’s top prospects, continued his recent slide when he failed to survive a nightmarish first inning Friday night in Class AA Northwest Arkansas’ 13-4 loss to Midland.

Pimentel gave up five hits, two walks and seven runs in just two-thirds of an inning before exiting after 39 pitches. His ERA has jumped from 3.15 to 5.30 in his last three starts.

• Right-hander Blake Wood, in contrast, pitched six shutout innings in Class A Wilmington’s 8-0 victory over Lynchburg. Wood struck out six, walked two and lowered his ERA to 2.67. He is also regarded as one of the organization’s top prospects.

• Shortstop Mike Moustakas, the second overall pick in last year’s draft, went three for five with two doubles and a triple in Class A Burlington’s 7-4 loss at Beloit. Moustakas is up to .254. He is batting .318 in May after struggling at .190 in April.

Etc.

• Grudzielanek broke a zero-for-16 skid with a sixth inning. He also had a double in the ninth. The two-for-four effort boosted his average back to .300.

• Toronto starters recorded successive complete games for the first time since April 21-22, 2000 when Chris Carpenter and Kelvim Escobar did it against the Yankees.

• Mark Teahen’s average is down to .243. He is zero for 17 with eight walks since his homer in the third inning of last Sunday’s 9-3 victory at Florida. • Joey Gathright had a bunt single in the eighth inning and is five for 12 with four walks in four games since returning from a three-game absence due to a sore left shoulder.

• Gordon is hitless in his last nine at-bats.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352 or send email to bdutton@kcstar.com.

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