Spring Training vs World Champs

Friday March 25 and today Mike Sweeney signed a one day contract so he could retire as a Kansas City Royal. Nice move, by a nice man. Sweeney spent many days giving 100% all of the time. And something that set him apart from many was his faith. He wore it on his sleeve with pride. Thank you Mike and best wishes for your next adventure.

First pitch from Vin Mazzaro, strike. Nice strikeout on 5 pitches. A failed double play ball, led to a run and too many pitches in the 1st. Hopefully that will be limited as the season starts as the pitchers are not good enough to keep overcoming a poor defense.

1-0 Giants Middle of the 1st

3 up and 3 down for KC in the bottom of the first. The Giants load the bases in the 2nd. Now two nice strikeouts by Mazzaro later and then a one hopper to first and lots of pitches but no damage.

1-0 Giants Middle of the 2nd

Mazzaro has nice movement on his pitches but is struggling a little. He has shown the ability to get out of jams with strikeouts and ground balls. From what I have seen this far, it's too bad we could not have gotten a little more in the trade for David DeJesus. A few well placed hits and the Giants put 2 more up on the board.

3-0 Giants Middle of the 3rd

A nice hustle triple by Bryan Pena. Here is as good test for the team to get the runner in from 3rd with less than 2 out. Ground ball to short from Escobar, not getting it done there. Chris Getz has a chance with 2 outs but this team did what it can't do. Failed to score an easy run. I am anxious to see live baseball, to get the sounds of a game and playing games that count.

Gordon and Kila pound some hard drives to the gaps and  the Royals score 2. And with a 2 run bomb from Frenchy, the Royals take the lead. While the Royals were driving the ball all around the ballpark, Frank and Ryan interviewed Mike Sweeney. He told a great story of how Ryan Howard treated him during the playoffs last year in Philadelphia. Howard remembered how Sweeney treated him when he came up, and returned the favor by letting Mike pop the first bottle of champagne in celebration.


8-3 Royals Top of the 6th

It was funny when Ryan was talking about the Giants bringing two number 85's and two number 83's... and how bad it is for you when you have a number like that, no name on your jersey and there is another guy in the dugout, with the same number as you. Pretty funny... but like Frank said, they can at least say they got in the game. Isn't that something a lot of us can say? One way or another, we got in the game.

First impression of Lorenzo Cain... looks good at the plate. Showing a good eye and has worked a 3-1 count. Ball four, he took some close pitches. Too short of a look but I hope to see more this year of Lorenzo. 4 walks and a few hits and when you look up, the Royals are ahead by 10.

13-3 Royals top of the 7th

Overall I like what I have seen in the game. Good pitching, good defense , good at bats and great attitude. A confident relaxed young team that appears to be ready to kick off what should be an interesting and good season.

15-3 Royals top of the 9th

Soria in, game over.