NewsLerew called up to make finale start
Boston (90-61) at Kansas City (63-89), 7:10 p.m. CT
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
09/24/09 12:28 AM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Anthony Lerew has faced this Red Sox bunch before, but it's been a while.Obviously, Lerew hopes there will be a happier result as he starts against Boston for the Royals in the series finale on Thursday night. He made his last Major League start and appearance against the Red Sox on May 19, 2007, at Fenway Park when he was pitching for the Braves. Lerew lasted just two innings and gave up three runs on five hits.
Even worse, exactly two months later on July 19, 2007, he had to undergo Tommy John surgery to have his right elbow reconstructed. He's been in a comeback mode since then.
Now, he's finally back in the Majors.
"Going from the Major Leagues to Double-A was a huge mental thing that I had to overcome and work real hard to try to get back here," Lerew said.
Lerew was unable to make the Braves' staff in Spring Training this year and was released.
"They had a lot of young prospects there and I just had surgery, and they didn't see me pitch enough and they didn't know if I was going to be healthy or not," Lerew said.
The Royals' Minor League director, J.J. Picollo, had signed Lerew for the Braves, and he signed him again, this time for the Royals. Lerew spent the year with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. It was a success -- the Naturals made the playoffs and Lerew had a 10-6 record in 27 starts.
Although the club didn't win the playoffs, Lerew won two more games, and he had a very strong finish. In his last 11 starts, including the playoffs, the 26-year-old right-hander had an 8-1 record and a 2.01 ERA.
Lerew was asked when he knew everything was right for him this season.
"Probably about a month ago, after I had about four or five strung together, I just felt like I was back, like I could throw where I wanted to, when I wanted to," he said.
"I got rid of the split, which I think was messing up my arm angle. When I'd throw a split, I wouldn't be able to throw my fastball where I wanted to for a couple of pitches. I've got a changeup working now that's kind of like a split and keeps the same arm angle."
So now he throws a four-seam fastball, a changeup and a slider. And without a problem in his elbow.
"I've been healthy all year, and hopefully, it'll continue that way," Lerew said.
Lerew threw a total of 167 innings for Northwest Arkansas. Now, he gets his first Major League innings since 2007 at Fenway.
"I pitched against the Red Sox last time and ended up having surgery," he said. "It would be bittersweet to go out there and try to shut them down again."
Pitching matchupKC: RHP Anthony Lerew (2009 debut)
Lerew was called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to fill an opening in the rotation, created by arm ailments to Kyle Davies and Dusty Hughes. Lerew went 10-6 with a 4.09 ERA in the Texas League and also was 2-0 with an 0.60 ERA in the playoffs. His Major League experience is 11 games with the Braves in 2005-07, including an 0-2 record in three starts. BOS: RHP Clay Buchholz (6-3, 3.49 ERA)
The wiry right-hander continues to come of age, firing one solid outing after another. Buchholz's most recent start was a 3-1 victory over the Orioles, in which he gave up five hits and one run over six innings. Though Buchholz was hardly overpowering, striking out one, he found a way to get the job done. Buchholz has eight quality starts. Opponents are hitting .248 against him. Buchholz has pitched just once in his career against the Royals, taking the loss on a day he gave up seven hits and four runs over six innings. Crown points
The first 10,000 ladies at Thursday night's game will receive a Girls' Night Out Royals T-shirt. The second annual event will feature a happy hour from 4-7 p.m. CT in the "Outfield Experience." Included will be a fall fashion show, a question-and-answer session with Royals players and an appearance by "Top Chef" TV finalist Richard Blais. There also will be a silent auction, with proceeds going to the American Heart Association and Royals Charities. ... Reminder: the Royals Coat Drive is Thursday and Friday nights. Coats will be collected before each game at the "Outfield Experience" or just outside Gate B at Kauffman Stadium. ... Third-base coach Dave Owen was absent on Wednesday night because he was attending to a family matter. Mike Jirschele, the Triple-A Omaha manager who has joined the coaching staff for the final month, replaced Owen. ... Velma Bowman, who helps adults with developmental disabilities through the Good Shepherd Manor Guild, was in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat on Wednesday night. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
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• FSKC-HD On radio
• KCSP 610 Up next
• Friday: Twins (Carl Pavano, 12-11, 4.82) at Royals (Robinson Tejeda, 4-1, 2.94), 7:10 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Twins (Scott Baker, 13-9, 4.43) at Royals (Lenny DiNardo, 0-1, 8.22), 6:10 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Twins (Francisco Liriano, 5-12, 5.75) at Royals (Zack Greinke, 15-8, 2.08), 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.
