Cleo and Varga shine, Rao injured
Coming into tonight's game against the Rangers,(41-63) the Royals(58-48) had rookie pitcher
Cleo Garrido on the mound and didn't know what to expect. Just a few days ago he was brought in to finish up a blow out loss and ended up allowing seven runs in one inning. A less than impressive 63.00 ERA followed that performance.
But just like that, Cleo flipped the switch and showed how good he could be in the correct situation. Garrido pitched a solid eight innings tonight and scattered around six hits in those eight innings.
Two runs did cross the plate courtesy of a
John Holle home run in the third inning. "That was my one bad pitch of the game. I left a slider up and Holle crushed it. He is one of the top players in the league and he showed it there. I just wish I could have had that pitch back but hey we still won which slightly erases my first outing this year." stated Cleo after the game. Garrido is now 1-0 for the year with a 9.00 ERA.
Also earning a lot of praise from the Kansas City front office is rookie first baseman
Ernesto Varga. The 22 year old from the Dominican Republic has played in two games so far and delivered in both. His natural position is first base but played third in tonight's game but looked confused at times.
"We tried Varga at third and other than his first inning error he played nicely but just didn't look comfortable. He was out of position a lot of times and maybe that's just nerves but we will see." said manager DeLeon when reached on his cell phone. The Royals have a weakness at third and they would be delighted to have him play the hot corner but only time will tell.
So far, Varga is 4-9 in two games with 3 RBI's and a run scored. "I love it here in Kansas City. I was able to play in one game last year and it was my goal after that to make it back this year and stick. I don't want to go back to Omaha!" exclaimed Varga tonight.
And along with this good news you just know there has to be some bad news. And this times it concerns oft injured center fielder
Santiago Rao. Rao is a player that people pay to come see but he just cant seem to stay healthy these past two years.
The 23 year old former Rookie of the Year who is entering his fourth year in the NABL has seen his games played drop each year. In his rookie year he played in 156 games, in 2008 144 games, 2009 139 games and he on pace for only 120 games this year.
"I just don't know what I did to deserve this. Everytime I get rolling something like this pops up. Its just a big downer. I want to be out there but my body wont let me." said a dejected Rao after the game.
While not having his greatest year in 2010, he still batted over .300 in the last two months and was appearing to have this season turned around. He will be out for the next two to three weeks with a stained MCL. Hopefully he can rebound when he comes back and below you will see a list of his injuries since the 2009 season.
The Royals will put their three game win streak on the line tomorrow against the Rangers with
Bobby Brownlie taking the mound hoping to move that streak to four games. Lets go Royals!