Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Up next: Royals

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 15, 2001

8:05 tonight, 8:05 p.m. Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. Thursday

THE PAST MONTH: The Royals have not seen as much turmoil as the Rays -- but they are not far behind. Considered a darkhorse contender in the AL Central, the Royals are on the bottom of the division. Manager Tony Muser has been rumored to be on the hot seat and pitching coach Brent Strom was fired Sunday. Bullpen coach Tom Gamboa will be in charge of the pitchers until a replacement can be found. Second baseman Luis Alicea was benched in the middle of a game (Why does that ring a bell?) for failing to run out a foul pop.

SCOUTING REPORT: After a slow start, Kansas City's offense is beginning to come around. Mike Sweeney, Jermaine Dye and Mark Quinn give the Royals three legitimate power threats in the middle of the order. The bullpen was rebuilt and supposed to be a strength, but the Royals continue to blow leads in the seventh and eighth innings and that, ultimately, cost Strom his job.

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Today, RHP Paul Wilson (1-4, 7.26) vs. RHP Brian Meadows (1-4, 7.05); Wednesday, RHP Bryan Rekar (0-5, 5.72) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (2-3, 4.47); Thursday, RHP Brian Rose (0-1, 6.94) vs. RHP Chad Durbin (1-2, 6.05).

SEASON SERIES: This three-game set closes out the series. The Rays took two out of three from the Royals on April 24-26 at Tropicana Field, the only series Tampa Bay has won this season. The Rays have fared well at Kauffman Stadium in the past, winning 10 of 16 games, their best record in any AL park.

EX-RAYS: Roberto Herandez has been his usual hot-and-cold self. After blowing two of his first three save opportunities, Hernandez rattled off five saves in a row. Then he blew a 4-3 lead in the 10th against the Twins on Friday. Overall, he is 6-of-9 with a 7.56 ERA.

WHO'S HOT: Third baseman Joe Randa's batting average was hovering near the .200 mark before getting hot the past 10 days. Randa was 12-for-26 (.467) going into Monday night's game against the Twins, and he has been particularly strong in the clutch.

WHO'S NOT: With Gregg Zaun on the disabled list, A.J. Hinch and Hector Ortiz have handled catching duties. Neither has been impressive. Ortiz had five hits in his last 34 at-bats (.147) before Monday night. Hinch went into the game hitting .121.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright