Royals notebook: DeJesus says new workout routine fueling surge
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. | David DeJesus credits a new workout schedule as the reason for his increased production after seeing his batting average tumble last season to a career-low .260.
“I get up now, eat my breakfast and go to the gym,” said DeJesus, who raised his average to .316 by going three for six in Monday’s 7-4 victory over Tampa Bay in 10 innings.
“I think that’s the key. I’m going to the gym earlier in the day and then take a nap to recover. When the game starts, I feel lighter out there. I feel like I’ve got more energy. I feel stronger out there.
“I’m feeling as strong out there as I’ve felt throughout any year of my career.”
DeJesus used to do his workout in the afternoon and never considered a switch until coach Luis Silverio offered a suggestion.
“He saw me coming into the park around 2 o’clock to do my lifting,” DeJesus said, “He told me, ‘Hey, after you work out, try to take a rest. Why don’t you do it in the morning?’
“I owe a lot to him for getting me to try that routine.”
DeJesus made the switch in mid-May and it batting .349 in his last 45 games. He also leads the majors with a .474 average with runners in scoring position.
“I see him not being afraid to get into deep counts,” manager Trey Hillman said. “He’s had some big two-out hits.”
Base-running plus
Mark Teahen scored from first on a two-out single in the third inning when Tampa Bay center fielder Carl Crawford nonchalanted the throw back to the infield.
Teahen was already running hard from first and, waved on by Silverio, beat the relay throw to the plate.
“It’s a 3-2 count,” Teahen said, “so I’m running on the pitcher. I knew right off the bat that I’d be going to third. Then I saw Luis waving me. It was him being aggressive to keep me going.”
The run gave the Royals a 3-2 lead at the time.
“Give Teahen credit,” Silverio said. “He allowed me to make that decision because of the way he was running. I saw (Crawford) wasn’t very aggressive. That gave me the chance to wave him in.”
Base-running minus
Joey Gathright committed a costly gaffe in the seventh after DeJesus led off with his third hit, a single to right. Gathright popped a bunt at the plate and, irritated at himself, didn’t break initially for first.
“Just a brain cramp,” Gathright said. “I don’t know what I was thinking of. It hit the ground, and I went uh-oh.”
Catcher Dioner Navarro let the ball drop and threw to second to get DeJesus, who had to hold on the pop; Gathright was an easy out at first for the double play.
“Totally embarrassing and totally unacceptable,” Hillman said. “If we had had a healthy replacement, I would have replaced him immediately. That’s embarrassing and can’t happen.”
Guillen, Grud rested
Three straight days on the artificial turf, apparently, were enough for veterans José Guillen and Mark Grudzielanek. Both got the day off.
Guillen is mired in a six-for-47 slump that has dropped his average from a season-high .293 to .272.
“Right now, he’s caught in-between,” Hillman said. “He’s swinging a little early on some good pitches (to hit). Something is missing there. Hopefully the day off can get him back on track.”
Hillman said Grudzielanek is a “little sore” after playing 10 straight games. Grudzielanek has 14 hits in his last 33 at-bats despite going zero for three in Sunday’s 9-2 loss.
Both players are expected to return tonight to the lineup.
Etc.
•Gil Meche’s start was his 200th career appearance.
•Tampa Bay was one for 19 with runners in scoring position.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.