Royal Letdown

The Kansas City Royals only managed two runs on Thursday afternoon against their division opponent, the Chicago White Sox. Problem is, the Sox only crossed the plate half that. You do the math.
The Royals took the rubber match of an afternoon contest in front of a meager 18,091. It all came down to starting pitching for the second straight day. Royal starter Kyle Davies equaled his career best, eight strikeouts in seven frames. The Sox had John Danks pitch six scoreless, while only giving up a handful of hits. Between both clubs in the three game set, all six starters gave up a combined 5 total runs while knocking out 38 batters in 38 innings.
Both teams were searching for a knock out going into the ninth, and Coco Crisp delivered for Royals, jacking a two run shot off Bobby Jenks. The Sox answered with a run of their own in the bottom on the ninth. With runners on first and second and an opportunity to extend the inning, pinch hitter Wilson Betemit struck out to end the game.

Ouch!

Miguel Olivo apparently isn't a fan of his former team. The former White Sox backstop appears to have the attitude of a guy who has already played 159 games. Truth is, the league is 3 games deep into the season. Alot of squatting to go Miguel.
Carlos Quenin seemed to be a pinstriped target for Royals starter Zach Greinke from the outset. In Quentin's first at bat, he had to duck out of the way of a 0-2 pitch that appeared to sail for his think-box. Later in the fourth with no outs, Greinke nailed Carlos directly in the back. It's possible Greinke and Olivo were reacting to Quentin's "Sox Tradition" spot that airs every 8th commercial on CSN.
Regardless, the Sox needed to take what they could get last evening, losing to the Royals 2-0. Gavin Floyd was strong in his effort, fanning 9, walking 2 and allowing 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings. Zach Greinke was better though.Greinke worked six strong, surrendering only 3 hits, while allowing 3 base-runners on walks and one hit batsmen. The Sox went hitless following Greinke's departure.
The White Sox will focus on taking the rubber game of the three game set before welcoming Joe Crede and the Minnesota Twins to 35th & Shields on Friday. Thursday's game is scheduled for 1:05 PM and can be viewed on CSN. At work? Get the earphones out and listen to DJ and Farmio on 670 The Score.

Once a Cub...

Packed house. Bottom of the 8th. 2 outs. Down one run. Opening day. Jim Thome's 542nd round tripper. Take away all of that greatness and you still have a fantastic moment. Why? It all starts with the 6-4, 230 lb underachiever called Kyle Farnsworth. Next to Greg Maddux, Farnsworth looks like the real deal. That is, in physique. However, if we are talking pure numbers, next to Maddux, Farnsworth looks like any other wannabe pitcher. There is no doubting the velocity Kyle brings to the hill. No scouts will argue that point. Let's not forget the secret to Sandy Koufax's success. Surrendering his velocity for control. The rest is history. Cooperstown history.
And while Kyle Farnsworth brings physical intimidation to the mound, his career numbers hardly have batters shaking in their cleats. Take his rookie year of 1999, when he started 21 games for the Cubs. In 140 innings pitched for the Cubs, Farnsworth surrendered 28 home runs with a 5-9 record. Luckily, that was his only year as a starter. Following a dismal first half of 2008 with the Yankees, Steinbrenner released a teary eyed Kyle to the Detroit Tigers for Ivan Rodriguez.
In only 60 1/2 innings pitched with both the Yankees and Tigers in 2008,
Farnsworth was tattooed 15 times. One dinger every four innings. Looking at these numbers, why would a GM pull out his checkbook and commit $9.25 million over two years? It's frightening to think this clown gets paid that kind of money to serve up fat ones so consistently. All I can think is....."Once a Cub, always a Cub."