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Posted on Tue, Apr. 15, 2008 10:15 PM
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Meche tries again tonight for his first victory
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Meche is 6-1 in 10 career starts at the Big A despite a 5.91 ERA. His six career victories are the most he’s posted at any stadium that wasn’t a home stadium — i.e., Kauffman Stadium or Safeco Park in Seattle.
“It’s just one of those things,” Meche shrugged. “I can’t tell you why or how. I can’t think of one thing for that. It’s the same way I can’t tell you why I’ve always pitched like crap at Texas.”
Meche is 0-2 with a 7.13 ERA in his first three starts after allowing 14 runs in 17 2/3 innings. He won his only 2007 start at Angel Stadium, a 12-4 victory on June 26 when he gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings.
“When I go in there,” Meche said, “I don’t think of that stuff. That’s a good team. They’ve got a lot of power, a lot of guys who can do damage. They have good contact hitters. They’re a tough team.”
Suzuki’s streak
Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki’s first-inning double extended his hitting streak to 26 games against the Royals. The streak began April 14, 2005.
Suzuki also had a single and a walk in five plate appearances. He is batting .462 in the streak with 49 hits in 106 at-bats.
The 26-game streak is the longest current streak of any player against a specific team. It is also the second-longest streak by an opponent in Royals’ history. Infielder Jerry Remy had a 29-game streak from 1977-82.
Staying low
Zack Greinke benefited from three double plays, including two ground-ball double plays, in Monday’s 5-1 victory over the Mariners in the series opener.
“I’ve had more double plays in three games than I usually have in a season,” said Greinke, who improved to 3-0 although his ERA inched up to 0.75. “When that happens, no one really gets into scoring position.”
The Royals have turned five grounders into double plays this season behind Greinke in 24 innings. That averages out to one every 4.8 innings.
It’s a small sample, sure, but compare it to Greinke’s pre-2008 totals: 33 GIDPs in 456 1/3 innings — or one every 13.8 innings.
A rarity
Even the staunchest Royals fan might have trouble remembering the last time, before Bannister and Greinke, that the Royals got successive complete-game victories from their starting pitchers.
It was Aug. 18-19, 2000, when Blake Stein and Mac Suzuki turned the trick in 4-1 and 7-0 victories at Baltimore.
The club record for consecutive complete games is five from Aug. 21-26, 1979. Paul Splittorff and Larry Gura started the streak against the Yankees before Craig Chamberlain, Dennis Leonard and Splittorff made it five in a row against the Red Sox.
All five games were at then-Royals Stadium. Splittorff lost the first game in the streak, but the Royals won the next five. Rich Gale lasted 6 2/3 innings on Aug. 27 in a 10-9 victory over the Brewers.
Dream Factory
The Royals are joining the Dream Factory for an on-field fund-raising project June 26 at Kauffman Stadium. The event will include appearances by club officials and several players in addition to music by The Zeroes, a food-and-drink menu and a silent auction.
June 26 is an open date on the club’s schedule.
Tickets are available for $250 per person. Sponsorship opportunities and corporate packages are also available and include a private party tent and private meet-and-greet sessions with players and club officials.
Further information can be obtained by calling 816-504-4430. The Dream Factory seeks to grant the dreams of nearly 200 seriously or chronically-ill children annually from the metropolitan area.
Etc.
•Seattle’s José Lopez tied a major-league record with three sacrifice flies.
•Billy Butler returned to DH duties after playing the two previous games at first base. Ross Gload played first.
@ Go to KansasCity.com for updates on the Royals, including a photo gallery, Bob Dutton’s vlog and Sam Mellinger’s “Ball Star” blog.
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