Daily Clips
September 1, 2017
LOCAL
Inbox: Who will KC call up in September?
Beat reporter Jeff Flanagan answers fans' questions
September 1, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals make donation to help flood relief in Houston
September 1, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
MINORS
Griffin, late runs vault Naturals past Tulsa
September 1, 2017Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Rocks Drop Heartbreaker in Extras
Wilmington Eliminated From Playoff Contention
September 1, 2017Wilmington Blue Rocks
Royals Fall in Season Finale Against the Pirates
Jose Sanchez notches 3 hits in Royals loss
September 1, 2017By Lauren Wagaman/Burlington Royals
MLB TRANSACTIONS
September 1, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Inbox: Who will KC call up in September?
Beat reporter Jeff Flanagan answers fans' questions
September 1, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
The Royals certainly have had a past seven days to forget.
Kansas City has lost six of seven, and in the process, it set a franchise record by being shut out for 45 straight innings. And the Royals have put themselves on the outer reaches of the second American League Wild Card spot.
Now we'll see if this core group, perhaps playing together for the final time, has any magic left as it showed in 2014 and '15. With that in mind, let's get to the latest version of the Inbox.
"@philco816: Since call ups are soon. Who do you think could make a immediate impact?"
Manager Ned Yost told me Wednesday that the callups would come in two waves: One on Friday, and then one when the Minor League seasons are over. The guess here is speedster Terrance Gore, outfielder Paulo Orlando, catcher Cam Gallagher and infielder Ramon Torres are likely going to meet us in Minnesota in the first wave, just for depth purposes, although Yost offered no hints on Wednesday. And Gore, of course, can help win a ballgame late on the bases.
"@Andrewschutte2: Exactly why can't the Royals keep all of the pending free agents? Are we that poor?"
Market size. The Royals simply don't generate the revenue from their local television deal that medium-sized and large-sized markets do. Owner David Glass has subsidized team losses for years and has put any profits back into the team, but he isn't about to take massive financial hits. Kansas City has been setting franchise-record payroll marks year after year, but to keep Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Jason Vargas, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Mike Minor would simply cost too much. Don't be surprised, though, if general manager Dayton Moore finds a way to keep two or three.
"@Best4Business15: What are chances of Junis staying in the rotation, no matter the status of Cahill?"
Jake Junis has been the Royals' best starter for a month, so he will be staying in the rotation. And if he keeps this up, he'll be in the rotation next April.
"@jbengtson79: Is Rusty going to retire after this season?"
As we reported earlier this week, popular first-base coach Rusty Kuntz will not be coaching first base the rest of the season because of vision issues in his left eye. He had surgery on that eye recently, and he simply has had trouble seeing as that eye heals. Kuntz said it is like looking through a bottle of water. He will continue to perform his other duties, and he will be on the bench. As for long-term, every offseason, Kuntz pleads with management to become a roving instructor mainly to get away from the daily grind. And every offseason, Kansas City talks him into coming back. It probably won't be any different this offseason.
"@jayfailla: The team can only sign one free agent. Who do you choose?"
Hosmer. He's having a career year, he's a leader in the clubhouse, he cares about the community, and we still don't know his ceiling on the field. And every scout I have talked to picked Hosmer as the first guy to try and re-sign.
"@whyisjeffhere: Only 3 games out of WC, so still in it. However, with the staff issues and Moose and Salvy not healthy for rest of the yr. I say 5% ch. U?"
This question came in prior to Wednesday night's game, so the gap is four games now. The Royals have 30 games left, and it seems reasonable to suggest they'd need to win at least 21 or 22 to have a shot. That's a tall order, as you mentioned, with the pitching issues, especially with Ian Kennedy and Vargas struggling mightily, and with Danny Duffy on the disabled list. But one thing we have learned: Never count this group out.
Royals make donation to help flood relief in Houston
September 1, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
The Royals have pledged a donation of $10,000 to the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City in the wake of continued flood relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey in southeastern Texas, the club announced this week.
The donation, which will come from the organization’s Royals Charities arm, comes as Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association pledged $1 million to the Red Cross.
Baseball is set to return to Houston this weekend after the Astros moved their home series with the Texas Rangers to St. Petersburg, Fla., earlier this week.
The Royals have told fans that they can donate money at YouCaring.com/MLBSupports.
MINORS
Griffin, late runs vault Naturals past Tulsa
September 1, 2017Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Starter, Foster Griffin , fired 8.0 innings while Jack Lopez and Ryan O'Hearn hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning in the Naturals' 6-2 triumph over Tulsa on Thursday night at ONEOK Field. The victory for Northwest Arkansas halted the Drillers 15-game home winning streak.
Griffin (11-5, 3.61) dominated from the outset. After allowing solo home runs to Kyle Garlick and Erick Mejia in the second frame, the 22-year old left-hander settled in. Over his final seven full innings, Griffin scatted three hits and struck out seven batters in his terrific performance. Griffin retired 13 of the final 14 hitters faced and completed eight innings for just the second time in his professional career.
Trailing 2-0 entering the third frame, Alfredo Escalera led off the inning with a single to left and moved to third on a hit-and-run by Anderson Miller to put men at the corners. Two batters later, Donnie Dewees hit a sacrifice fly to rightfield to score Escalera from third to pull the Naturals within a run. Griffin kept the deficit at a run until the top of the eighth inning.
Tulsa brought in reliever, Layne Somsen (5-1, 2.10) to pitch in the eighth. Dewees singled with one-out on a hard ground-ball to right field and promptly stole second base for his 20th theft of the year. With Lopez at the plate, he singled up the middle to score Dewees, tying the score at 2-2.
Left-handed reliever, Michael Johnson entered and gave up a two-out single to short center to Nick Dini , which moved Lopez to third base for Samir Duenez . The 21-year old prospect slugged a line-drive rocket down the rightfield line to bring home Lopez, putting the Naturals ahead for the first time all series 3-2.
After Griffin fired a perfect eighth inning, Lopez clobbered a two-run homer in the ninth inning and O'Hearn followed it up on the very next pitch from right-hander, Corey Copping , to complete back-to-back home runs and give the Naturals a 6-2 lead.
Richard Lovelady tossed a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout to polish off the win.
The back-to-back home run event is the second one this season - both of which came at ONEOK Field against the Drillers.
Northwest Arkansas (66-70/27-39) will hunt for the series split in the finale against Tulsa on Friday, September 1 with right-hander, Zach Lovvorn (4-8, 4.66) going to the hill against right-hander, Yadier Alvarez (1-2, 4.00) countering for the Drillers.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly¸ with a 6:45 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket.
Rocks Drop Heartbreaker in Extras
Wilmington Eliminated From Playoff Contention
September 1, 2017Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks (67-68, 28-37) saw their playoff hopes come to an end after dropping a tough, extra-inning affair 1-0 to the Down East Wood Ducks (59-76, 35-31) on Thursday night. In the top of the 12th inning, with a runner on second and two-out, Down East's shortstop Josh Morgan smoked a groundball past the third baseman that scored the go-ahead run for the Wood Ducks. Wilmington was unable to rebound in the bottom of the frame. The loss eliminates the Rocks from the Northern Division Wild Card Race.
The Rocks best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one-out, Jecksson Flores singled into left field, and Roman Collins grounded one up the middle to put two runners on. A batter later, Brandon Downes drove a towering fly ball to deep left field that looked to be the game winner, but Down East's left fielder Josh Altmann made an over-the-shoulder basket catch at the track to rob the Rocks of a run. That sent the game into extras, where Down East would tally the lone run.
Colin Rodgers was lights out, striking out five batters and allowing five hits over six innings of work. Franco Terrero pitched well in relief, throwing three scoreless frames while stranding a runner at third with no outs in the seventh. Justin Camp (0-2) ultimately gave up the run in the 12th. Down East's starter Steven Bruce threw a career high 8.1 innings while striking out a career-best seven batters.
The Rocks begin their final four-game set against Lynchburg on Friday, September 1 with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. RHP Scott Blewett (7-9, 3.78 ERA) will start for Wilmington. Fans can listen to the game as Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh have the call on 89.7 WGLS FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
Coming into Thursday night's game, the Rocks had to win their remaining five contests of the 2017 campaign with Frederick losing their remaining games to stay in the playoff picture. It marks the second straight year Wilmington will end their season without postseason play. The Rocks last appeared in the playoffs in 2015, where they swept Lynchburg in the Division Series, but ultimately fell to Myrtle Beach in the Mills Cup Championship. Wilmington was also in the first half hunt for the Northern Division crown, but were unable to keep up with Lynchburg despite finished 1.5 games out of first.
Thursday's game against Down East wraps up the series between the two squads during the 2017 season. Overall, the Rocks held the advantage 7-6, but Down East dominated in the second half. The Wood Ducks took five of their last six meetings against the Rocks, including sweeping Wilmington during their first visit to Frawley Stadium since 2011. During the final six games of the series, Wilmington was outscored 27-15, while only scoring two runs in the final three games.
The Rocks 1-0 loss is the second shutout in the last two days that Wilmington has been on the bad end. During Wednesday's doubleheader, Down East blanked the Rocks 2-0 in the first game. It is also the third time the Rocks have been shutout in the last five games. Overall, Wilmington has been shutout 10 times this season and four times in August. The 1-0 loss also marks another one-run loss to put the Rocks at 25-23 in that category. Wilmington has now dropped nine of its last 12 one-run contests.
Despite the offensive struggles, Jecksson Flores has stayed hot in the final games of the regular season. The shortstop picked up two more hits on Thursday, making it his 21st multi-hit game on the season. For Flores, nine of those have come in the month of August. During the last full month of play, the 23-year-old has slugged 10 of his 14 doubles and two of his three triples, all while providing stellar defensive.
They Said It: Jamie Quirk
"First of all, great pitching on our part (on Thursday). Colin Rodgers, Franco Terrero, and Justin Camp did a great job. All of them pitched their tails off and it was nice to see. Once again, it goes back to the offense. Brandon Downes hit that ball well (in the ninth inning) but it was the wrong night; the ball wasn't going anywhere (on Thursday) and the left fielder (Josh Altmann) made a nice play on it. They were playing way in to cut the run off and Altmann stayed with it and ran it down. Once again, we just aren't scoring."
"Jecksson Flores is playing outstanding. Ever since Nicky Lopez left, he has had a chance to play shortstop. He has played every inning of every game since Lopez left except for one inning when I gave him a break. He has played outstanding. His defense is just tremendous and he makes all the plays. He is the one guy that is playing inspired baseball through all of this. He got an opportunity to play and he is taking advantage of it. Perfect example was he was starting the year as a utility player, waiting and waiting, doing a good job but we had D.J. Burt and Lopez playing all the time. When Lopez went up, he got his opportunity and he has made the most of it. He has showed at least me, and I hope the organization, that he can play."
"We are going to show up and play again (Friday). Lynchburg is a very good team. We haven't seen them in a while but they are going to play and get themselves ready for the playoffs. They are the best team in the league and I'm sure they are going to try and come in and keep momentum going. We will see what happens but we will be ready to play."
Colin Rodgers, Pitcher
"I felt great (on Thursday). Just tried to get ahead of guys and establish the fastball down and away, try and get outs as quickly as I could. (In pressure situations) I threw mostly fastball low and away and kept them honest by changing speeds when I needed too. The defense was amazing; they just made so many good plays. Nate Esposito behind the plate, he did a great job back there. All the credit to them."
"There are a lot of things that I have learned. I would say I definitely learned how to be more consistent. There are 10 teams in the Carolina League now, but you play the same teams over and over again. You get used to guys and guys get used to you. It comes down to a battle. I think taking things day-by-day (has helped him get better). Throw every pitch with a purpose and take it one day at a time. Don't try to look into the future or into the past, just be here now."
Royals Fall in Season Finale Against the Pirates
Jose Sanchez notches 3 hits in Royals loss
September 1, 2017By Lauren Wagaman/Burlington Royals
The Burlington Royals suffered an 8-3 loss against the Bristol Pirates in their final game of the 2017 season.
Burlington (29-39) struck first in the game with one run in the top of the first inning. SS Oliver Nunez led off with a double, followed by a ground out by CF Cal Jones. With one out and RF Seuly Matias at bat, Pirates LHP Domingo Robles threw a wild pitch advancing Nunez to third. Matias then struck out swinging, making way for 3B Dennicher Carrasco to hit an RBI single, scoring Nunez.
Bristol (17-49) responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. CF Yondry Contreras notched his 7th double of the season and scored off a single from 3B Ben Bengtson. The Royals defense ended the inning without further damage on a fly ball caught and thrown to first base for a double play.
The Pirates broke the game open with five runs in the second. DH Johan De Jesus singled to lead off, and a C Paul Brands double moved him to third. LF Nelson Jorge walked to load the bases, and a single from 2B Nick Valaika scored De Jesus and advanced Brands to third. RF Luis Benitez followed with a double scoring Brands and Jorge. The first out of the half-inning came when SS Luis Perez hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, allowing Valaika to score putting the Pirates up 6. Runners advanced on a hit pitch and the Royals responded with a pitching change, replacing RHP Andres Sotillet with LHP Michael Messier. Messier worked his way out of a jam, forcing 1B Huascar Fuentes to fly out and striking out De Jesus.
Messier blanked the Pirates in the third and fourth innings. The lefty struck out two and retired batters in both innings in 1-2-3 fashion.
Following the first out in the top of the fifth, Royals' Matias doubled on a ground ball to the Pirates left field. After a ground out by Carrasco, 2B Jose Marquez stepped up to bat and doubled to score Matias and make it a 6-2 game.