NewsBannister finding confidence contagious
Kansas City (9-9) vs. Toronto (14-6), 7:10 p.m. CT
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
04/26/09 5:41 PM ET
You won't trap modest Brian Bannister into talking about a triumphant return or anything that self-serving.Not even after he shut out the Indians for six innings in his first start after being recalled from the Minor Leagues.
"It was just good to be back," Bannister said. "I worked hard in Triple-A and I just wanted to keep the momentum going that the pitching staff had created. They've had a lot of really positive outings this year and I just wanted to step in and not disrupt that."
In fact, the Royals' starting staff ranks first in the American League with an ERA of 3.32 (42 earned runs in 114 innings). The main contributor, of course, is Zack Greinke, with no earned runs in his 29 innings.
Bannister's six-pack of zeroes helped, of course. Did he develop some new technique, acquire some pitching pixie dust while at Omaha?
"There was no secret," he said. "I kept the ball down and got ground balls when I needed to and I got a big strikeout when I needed to. I'm definitely looking to improve. I know the results were good, but I know I can pitch better. I've got some momentum going with about 15 consecutive scoreless innings between Triple-A and here, so it's more of a confidence thing. A bunch of guys have it here right now and I'm just trying to get on the bandwagon."
He'll ride the wagon right into some tough territory. The Blue Jays have been flying in first place in the AL East for most of the season. He's faced them just once in his career and lost, 4-1, in 2007.
This will be Bannister's first game at the renovated Kauffman Stadium. The "old" ballpark was his home for the two previous seasons and he was there as a kid when his father, Floyd Bannister, pitched for the Royals.
"I was here in '88 and '89," he said, "so I've seen it with the [artificial] turf, without the turf and now with the outfield seats."
Already he's picked up new vibes at the "new" ballpark.
"I noticed a very stark difference just from last year to this year as far as the intensity of the noise," he said. "And the park feels smaller with the people right on top of you. It's a fun place to play."
Pitching matchup
KC: RHP Brian Bannister (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Bannister made a dramatic comeback from Triple-A Omaha, arriving at Cleveland to pitch six shutout innings in a 2-0 victory Wednesday night over the Indians. He looked like his old self, meaning the Bannister of 2007, when he had a highly successful rookie season for the Royals. He had just one strikeout but kept the Indians off balance and gave up just four singles on a cold night. Bannister sounded as if he expected to be going up-and-down between Kansas City and Omaha this summer, depending on the rotation needs. But with more outings like this, he'll become a permanent fixture once again.
Purcey was in line for his first win of the season Wednesday, but closer B.J. Ryan blew the save in a game the Blue Jays eventually won, 8-7, in extra innings. Purcey went 5 1/3 innings against Texas, giving up three runs, all earned, on seven hits. He had struggled with his command in his previous two starts, walking a total of 10 batters in 8 1/3 innings, but issued only two walks in Wednesday's no-decision. Crown points
The Blue Jays series will feature the first "T-Shirt Tuesday" of the season. The first 20,000 fans on Tuesday night will get a shirt commemorating 1969, the Royals' first season and the year man landed on the moon. ... Alexander Austin, an artist of Lee's Summit, Mo., was in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat on Sunday. Once homeless, Austin found refuge and new confidence at the City Union Mission, where he recently completed a mural depicting five homeless men striving to find their place in life. ... Third baseman Mike Moustakas hit his fourth home run, but Class A Wilmington lost to Winston-Salem, 14-13, on Saturday. His two hits raised his average to .279. ... Mark Teahen got the Royals' first stolen base at home on Sunday, meaning ticket holders to the game can get a free medium Slush at Sonic Drive-ins until midnight on Monday. Got to show your ticket, though. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FSKC On radio
• KCSP 610 Up next
• Tuesday: Royals (Gil Meche, 1-1, 2.63) vs. Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 2-0, 3.31), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Royals (Zack Greinke, 4-0, 0.00) vs. Blue Jays (Brian Tallet, 1-0, 2.95), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Royals (Kyle Davies, 1-1, 4.88) vs. Blue Jays (TBD), 1:10 p.m. CT
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
