Royals notebook
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. | David DeJesus provided the Royals with one of their few highlights Friday when he extended his hitting streak to a career-best 16 games by opening the game with single.
It is the longest streak by a Royal since Emil Brown hit in 16 straight games during June 11-29, 2005.
DeJesus actually hit in 19 straight games during Sept. 19, 2004, through April 8, 2005, but Major League Baseball does not recognize hitting streaks as carrying over from one season until the next.
So DeJesus, officially, only gets credit for concluding the 2004 season with a 15-game streak. He also had a 15-game streak earlier in 2004, from July 30 through Aug. 15.
DeJesus has the longest current streak in either league. He is batting .400 in the 16 games while raising his average from .294 to .321.
His streak is also tied for the 17th longest in franchise history. George Brett holds the record with a 30-game streak during July 18-Aug. 18, 1980.
Buck returns, struggles
Catcher John Buck returned to the lineup after missing just one game because of bruised privates resulting from a foul tip striking him in the cup Wednesday night in Baltimore.
Maybe it was too soon.
Buck went zero for three and committed two throwing errors on stolen bases after having just one error this season in 57 previous defensive games.
“The other night had nothing to do with it,” he insisted. “They were just bad throws.”
Fox picks game
Fox Sports is coming to Kauffman Stadium for the Aug. 2 game against the Chicago White Sox. That means a change in starting time from 6:10 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. to accommodate Fox’s exclusivity window.
The time change won’t affect plans surrounding the Royals’ annual Military Appreciation Day. The first 20,000 fans through the gates will receive free camouflage caps.
Minor details
•Right-hander Carlos Rosa gave up seven runs and 10 hits in just five innings Thursday night in Class AAA Omaha’s 9-6 loss at Iowa. First baseman Ryan Shealy continued his recent surge by going three for five with a two-run homer. Shealy is batting .316 since June 1 and has his overall average up to .268.
•Left-hander Mike Montgomery, the 36th overall pick in last month’s draft, pitched another 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Rookie Surprise’s 6-5 victory over the A’s. Montgomery, who turned 19 on Tuesday, has pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings over his three pro appearances while allowing just two hits. He also has six strikeouts and one walk.
Etc.
•Mike Aviles returned to shortstop after getting a one-day rest Thursday while mired in a five-for-32 slump. It’s now five for 35.
•The Royals and Rays, like all teams, sported special holiday caps. Plans call for the teams to wear the caps today and Sunday.
•The Rays are the only team since 1900 to have the majors’ best record on Independence Day a year after having the majors’ worst record on Independence Day.
•Tampa Bay is 30-6 at Tropicana Field since April 22.
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