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Royals notebook: Rotation is taking shape
By DAVID BOYCEThe Kansas City Star
Unlike in previous seasons, the Royals have maintained a stable starting rotation through the early part of the season.
They’ve used six starters so far — the Royals used eight through May 12 last season and 13 starters overall in 2007 — and the current five starters have allowed fewer than five runs in seven of their last 10 outings.
“I’m really comfortable with the five guys and their accountability and their ability to go out and win ballgames,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said.
Hillman also likes the chemistry that has developed with the pitchers. From Gil Meche to Zack Greinke to Brian Bannister to Brett Tomko to Luke Hochevar, they all have different personalities, but mesh well together.
“Obviously, you’d like to see more consistency with Gil with his history and more consistency with Tomko,” Hillman said. “It’s been alternating games with Brett, but I think we will get there.
“I like the mix that’s going on with our starting pitchers. They communicate well, and I think they do a real good job of following what their leader wants them to do. I think Mac (pitching coach Bob McClure) has done a real good job with the entire pitching staff.”
Next up
Greinke starts tonight against Detroit, and he has been the Royals’ most consistent starter. Six of his seven outings have been “quality starts.”
Greinke, who is 4-1 with a 1.80 ERA, is coming off another solid start in which he allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings in a victory against the Angels.
Greinke currently ranks second in the American League in ERA, trailing Cleveland’s Cliff Lee, who has a 0.81 ERA.
Since Aug. 7, Greinke has allowed just 17 earned runs in 91 innings of work for a 1.68 ERA.
Putting in the work
The Royals’ hitters seem to fail consistently in getting a runner in from third base with fewer than two outs. Do they have a game plan to get a fly ball against whomever they face in that situation?
Hillman said the players put in the necessary work to be successful.
“We do a daily scouting report on the starter. The first day in, we do the starter and the bullpen,” Hillman said. “We are not changing our routine or adjusting our routine as far as our scouting information.
“The video is available, but you don’t force that on any one guy. There are different personalities and different individuals. We’ve got a couple of guys who don’t like watching video. You don’t mandate things like that.
“It’s a personal need. There is a certain amount everybody has to do. But above and beyond that it’s a personal need.”
Etc.
•Right-hander Carlos Rosa continues to turn in impressive starts at Class AA Northwest Arkansas. In a 10-2 victory on Saturday against Springfield, Rosa allowed just three hits and no earned runs in six innings. He is 4-2 with a 1.20 ERA.
•On Sunday, Joakim Soria tied a Royals record for scoreless appearances to start a season at 15. He shares the mark with Hipolito Pichardo, who accomplished the feat in 1997.