Royals finish April 16-6, lead American League!!
On the eve of getting their Two-Time All-Star
1B Melvin Colmenares back from the disabled list, the Royals concluded another stellar month of baseball. After starting off 1-2, they rode their hot bats to a 16-6 record. That is currently the best record in the American League and tied with the
Washington Nationals for the best record in baseball.
"Our guys really gutted it out this month." said
GM Chris Torres. "We have been undermanned all month long and playing with makeshift lineups but they just keep trucking along and winning games. Its great to have a bunch of guys that check their ego's at the door and just want to win."
Leading the charge for the Royals is their Reigning AL MVP
Catcher Gene Marguez. In April he hit .385 and had an astronomical .538 OBP. He also slugged five home runs, drove in thirteen runs and was named Batter of the Month for April today. And with his protection back in the lineup tomorrow, those numbers should only increase!
"Its great to win awards and all but I just want to win games. I am paid to win and that's what we want to to here in Kansas City. Last years failure still burns us and we want to get back to the playoffs and prove it was not a fluke. And I cant want to have my partner in crime back in tomorrows game. Its been lonely without him."
Colmenares has only played in seven games this year but in that short time he has managed a .385 average, .500 OBP, two home runs and six RBI's. His bat will only make this team that much stronger.
After the April numbers were finalized the Royals led the AL in seven statistical categories. They had a .360 OBP, slugged .477, .837 OPS, scored 134 runs, had 89 extra-base hits, knocked twenty-nine balls out of the park and walked 105 times in just twenty-two games.
"My guys have just hit the cover off of the ball. And all of these numbers are basically without Melvin in the lineup and
Rudolph Shaeffer(.316/.372/.553/29HR/112RBI's in 2011) out for the year. Its great seeing our role players stepping up and contributing on a daily basis." said Manager
Antonio DeLeon
Along with their hot bats, the starting rotation has been just as strong. Once again they are led by
Joe Blanton. Blanton leads the starting rotation with a 1.85 ERA through thirty-four innings pitched and has recoded thirty-five punch outs.
And right behind him is up and coming pitcher
Cleo Garrido. Coming off last years 12-5 record, the twenty-three year old Cleo has picked up right where he left off in 2011. He is currently 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA.
His first win of year was a complete game shutout of the Twins and he has yet to lose a game this season. In his last three games he has pitched very well but not managed a decision in the Royals wins.
The Royals currently lead the AL with a 3.13 Starters ERA and 181 Strikeouts. They then dominate second place in six statistical categories. They are second in ERA(3.11), Bullpen ERA(3.06), Runs Allowed(82), Hits Allowed(173), Opp AVG(.233) and BABIP(.288).
"The guys are just throwing heat this year." said Torres. "They are studying the scouting reports very well and it shows."
Along with all the great play from the team there are four players that currently have the fans worried.
RF Larry Bigbie,
CF Santiago Rao, and
SP's Bobby Brownlie and
Ian Oquendo.
In the thirteen games Bigbie has played in, he is currently batting a microscopic .114. He has only managed four hits in thirty-five at-bats and struck out fifteen times. Many wonder if the thirty-four year old has hit the warning track of his career or this is just a very cold start.
The scouts say he is swinging the bat well but can't figure out what is wrong. No matter if he figures it out or not, he has had an excellent four seasons in Kansas City and is one of the best free agent signings in the past seven.
While most of the starting rotation has been spot on, Brownlie and Oquendo have missed the point. Brownlie has started three games so far and has only managed 13.1 innings in the three outings and has a robust 4.73 ERA.
In those 13.1 innings, he has allowed seventeen hits and sixteen runs. Now only seven of those runs are earned, so its clearly evident that his defense has been letting him down. And if a defense falters, the pitchers day is usually ended early. So all signs lead to Brownlie getting back on the horse in a few more outings.
While Brownlie can pin his lack of production on his defense, Oquendo does not have that luxury. Ian is currently 1-3 in four starts this year with a 4.70 ERA. He has pitched twenty-three innings and allowed twenty-four hits, thirteen walks and struck out twenty-five.
"Its all about my control. Its either been really well or really bad. I am just a few more outings away from getting it nailed down. I just don't want to pitch myself out of a spot in the rotation but we will see." said Oquendo.
One of the most puzzling struggles this year has been Santiago Rao. The twenty-five year old past Rookie of the Year has just been down right awful. He is currently batting .148 through 54 at-bat's. Considering he hit .301 in 2009, .282 in 2010, .248 in 2011 and now .148 many wonder if his career is nearly over.
If there is one reason for this dramatic fall, it would have to be injuries. The former second round draft pick has missed a total of 103 games in just five years of pro baseball. One scout used this word to describe Rao the other day, "finished." Who knows what will happen with Rao but without his lighting fast speed he would certainly be in the minors already. Lets just hope he can pull out of this funk and regain his starting lineup spot.
So minus the small problems on the roster at the moment, the Royals appear to be headed for another great month of baseball. Lets go Royals!!