NewsGreinke's record skewed by support
Kansas City (37-57) vs. Texas (52-41), 7:10 p.m. CT
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
07/23/09 12:22 AM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Just think about what Zack Greinke's record might be if the Royals had just scored a few more runs for him. Royals pitching coach Bob McClure has done just that.Better than 10-5, that's for sure.
"I think while he's been in there over his last four games, I think we've scored three or four runs," McClure said.
Not quite that paltry, but just six. And three of those runs came as he posted his last victory on June 28 in Pittsburgh, 3-2. In his past three starts, the Royals have scored none, one and two while he was in the game -- no wins in those games.
"So say that was three each game -- 3, 6, 9, 12 -- he might have three more wins," McClure said. "If you pitch that good, it's all about run support. If he's not getting any runs there's nothing he can do about it as far as getting any W's."
Greinke will try to see what he can do about that on Friday night against the Rangers. The only other time that he faced the Rangers this year, the Royals weren't exactly pouring runs across the plate either. But he won, 2-0, at Arlington with a complete game, one of his five.
Greinke has the task this time of ending the Royals' tortuous nine-game string of losses. The good news is that seven times he has followed a loss with a victory. And he's stopped skids of five and six games.
But he'll need some help from the league's lowest-scoring offense.
"As far as keeping us in games, I don't know that he's even given up more than four earned runs in any game," McClure said. "Probably three or two in most of them. For anybody to do that in the American League, to me, is amazing."
Once again, McClure was just about right on. Only once did Greinke surrender five runs this year, that at Toronto on June 5.
Greinke leads the American League in ERA at 2.08 which just happens to be 2.30 under the AL average of 4.38 (through Tuesday).
"Two runs under the league average," McClure said. "That's incredible."
But his run support has been just 3.6 runs per game, the lowest among the club's rotation regulars.
Pitching matchupKC: RHP Zack Greinke (10-5, 2.08 ERA)
Zack Greinke started off his second half with seven strong innings, but he still couldn't pick up a victory. Greinke allowed just one run while scattering nine hits and striking out seven, but he had to settle for his fourth no-decision of the season when the Royals' bullpen blew a late lead. Greinke's last win came against Pittsburgh on June 28, when Greinke allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings pitched. His raw numbers are still among the league leaders. He has 136 strikeouts against just 24 walks, and he's gone at least six innings in 17 of his past 19 starts. TEX: RHP Scott Feldman (8-3, 3.87 ERA)
Feldman allowed three earned runs over six innings against the Twins on Saturday, earning his 11th quality start of the season. It was his first loss in such a start this season and moves him to 7-1 with a 2.91 ERA in quality starts. He has now thrown between five and seven innings in 18 consecutive starts dating back to last season. That ties him with Tim Redding (April 13-July 11, 2008 with the Nationals) for the most since 1954. Including Saturday, Feldman has issued fewer than three walks in 13 of his 16 starts and has held opponents to a .222 average (77-for-347) as a starter this season. In six games -- one start -- at Kauffman Stadium in his career, Feldman has posted a 1-0 record with a 2.51 ERA over 14 1/3 innings. Away from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in his career, he is 10-10 with a 5.46 over 156 2/3 innings in 59 games (20 starts). Crown points
Several players planned to spend part of their off-day at the Diamond of Dreams fundraiser on Thursday evening on the Kauffman Stadium field. The sellout Royals Charities event benefits Operation Breakthrough, a St. Vincent's Family Service Center that helps children living in poverty realize their full potential. ... Nope, the Royals get no Draft compensation because second baseman Mark Grudzielanek signed a Minor League deal recently with the Twins. If he had signed before the First-Year Player Draft with a Major League club, the Royals would have gotten a sandwich round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. ... Kyle Davies' record for Triple-A Omaha slipped to 3-2 when Iowa scored three unearned runs in a 4-3 victory on Tuesday. His ERA, though, was 2.16 in six starts. Davies, in 33 1/3 innings, had 32 strikeouts with 12 walks and had given up just two home runs. ... Left-hander Mike Montgomery, the Royals' sandwich pick in the '08 First-Year Player Draft, was promoted to Class A Wilmington. He had a 2-3 record and a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts for Class A Burlington, Iowa. ... Larry Tye will discuss his new book about Satchel Paige called "Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend" at 6 p.m. CT on Friday in the Outfield Experience at the stadium. Also participating will be longtime Royals broadcaster Fred White and Royals Hall of Famer pitcher Paul Splittorff. ... Lisa Rush of Kansas City, who created the A Chance for Children 5K Walk/Run to benefit KU Medical Center's pediatric programs, was in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat on Wednesday night. Tickets
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• Saturday: Royals (Luke Hochevar, 5-3, 5.09) vs. Rangers (Derek Holland, 3-5, 6.02), 6:10 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Royals (Sidney Ponson, 1-6, 7.63) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 9-7, 3.44), 1:10 p.m. CT
• Monday: Royals (TBD) at Orioles (TBD), 6:05 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.
