NewsRoyals remain a factor at season's end
Kansas City (65-96) at Minnesota (85-76), 1:10 p.m. CT
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
10/03/09 9:46 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS -- Right up to Sunday's season finale, the Royals are a factor in the American League Central pennant race.The Royals' second straight loss to Minnesota on Saturday kept the Twins in the chase for the AL Central title.
Meanwhile, the Royals went into Saturday's game tied for fourth place with the Indians, wondering if they could break the deadlock for last place in the division.
For the Royals, on Sunday it's all over -- a season that began with high hopes, a seemingly improved club and designs on contending in the division. It didn't work that way, although a late-season revival staved off a return to 100-loss despair.
"It's been a long season at times, but looking back at it now, it seems short," said right fielder Mark Teahen. "It wasn't the season we wanted. Hopefully, a few guys' individual accomplishments show the direction we're going. It was a year riddled with injuries, and we realize how many injuries there were. And we realize some of the younger guys are going to turn the corner and continue to work in the right direction."
In September and October, the Royals have a 15-15 mark, not up to the 18-8 September with which they closed 2008 but an upgrade over their midseason woes.
"On the whole, I think we've done OK late in the year and showed some signs of things to come next year," Teahen said.
The late improvement also was not quite up to the 18-11 start, a record the Royals were so proud of on May 7.
"Obviously, it wasn't the season that we all expected when we were in Spring Training. We had a lot more optimism about what we were going to do this season. Everybody thought we had a chance to do some big things this year," said designated hitter Mike Jacobs. "Unfortunately, some injuries and guys like myself not stepping up and performing to our capabilities was kind of the story of the season."
There were some high points, of course.
"It's been fun to watch Zack [Greinke] all year, it's been fun to watch Billy [Butler]. There are some guys who have had good seasons this year," Jacobs said. "For those of us who haven't, [we'll] go into the offseason and try to work hard and have a better one next year."
Regulars Coco Crisp, Alex Gordon and Mike Aviles were hit by injuries early, and starting pitchers Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Kyle Davies weren't able to finish the season because of shoulder miseries.
"It was kind of disappointing. We've just got to get ready for next year," said pitcher Kyle Farnsworth, one of several players to visit the disabled list this year. "Injuries are a big part and how teams deal with them, how they play without the key parts. It's hard to do that, but good teams find a way to do it."
The year that began in mid-February in sunny Surprise, Ariz., is ending in cold and rainy Minneapolis (although under a roof for the last time).
"It's gone by very fast," said outfielder-infielder Willie Bloomquist, one of the team's newcomers. "It could just be a new city, learning everything. Every year seems to go by faster and faster. It seems like just yesterday I was at FanFest and meeting some of the guys."
The long-time Mariner settled into Kansas City very easily.
"I think it's a city that deserves a winner, and I think we're on the right track to getting one," he said.
Pitching matchupKC: RHP Luke Hochevar (7-12, 6.24 ERA)
The big inning always seems to find Hochevar. Last Monday night in the Bronx, the Yankees scored one run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, and just as Hochever seemed to be exercising good damage control, New York dropped a five-spot on him in the seventh before he could get a single out. After surrendering just two home runs in his previous seven starts, Hochevar gave up two to the Yankees, including a grand slam. Twice this season, he has pitched complete-game victories, and in one nine-start stretch, he had a 6-1 record. But he has been 1-9 since. MIN: RHP Carl Pavano (13-12, 5.07 ERA)
The Twins looked to the veteran Pavano to deliver against the Tigers on Wednesday. A win would have pulled Minnesota to within a game of Detroit with another game to play against the Tigers. Instead Pavano had his worst outing as a Twin, allowing seven runs on seven hits while lasting just 4 2/3 innings. He'll be going on just three days' rest when he takes to the hill on Sunday in a game that could make or break Minnesota's playoff chances. He's 3-3 with a 6.63 ERA this season against Kansas City but 2-1 vs. the Royals as a Twin.
Crown points
Credit pitcher Lenny DiNardo with honesty. DiNardo was originally charged with an error on a ball off his glove in the second inning on Friday night, and the Twins wondered if instead it should be a single for Orlando Cabrera. Asked about it afterward, DiNardo informed the official scorer that he lost the high bouncer in the lights, and the ruling was changed from an error to a hit. It also added two earned runs to DiNardo's ERA. "I lost it in the lights," DiNardo said. "I wouldn't feel right if I lied and said, 'Oh, it's an error. I don't want these [runs] to be earned.' " His ERA went from 9.28 to 10.14. "Plain and simple, the runs scored anyway, and it's not like they can take them away whether they're earned or not," DiNardo said. "Whether I'm losing two earned runs or losing some sleep because I lied about a play, I'd rather give up two earned runs." ... Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was held out of Saturday's lineup because of a bruised left foot after being hit by a foul tip in Friday night's game. Luis Hernandez took his spot. ... Left fielder David DeJesus, back from his week-long bout with the flu, was feeling stronger but again was not in the starting lineup.
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Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
