Lima Time! returns. Huber sits. Royals lose

This really wasn't a bad game. RC missed the first five innings, but we did see the Royals claw back to tie the game at 8-8 in the middle innings. RC Official Scapegoat Jose Lima posted a familiar line:

4.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR

It will be interesting to see if this was the last straw for Lima. Coming off his best start of the year, Lima was completely ineffective. The Royals will bring up another pitcher prior to tomorrow's game, and if they decide to promote a starter, it could signal the end of Lima Time! in Kansas City. However, RC has no solid predictions on this matter. It's equally possible that a reliever gets the callup to KC, in which case Lima probably stays in the rotation for the time being.

As we noted so excitedly this afternoon, the Royals promoted Justin Huber to replace Mike Sweeney, who was placed on the 15-day DL. We fully expected Huber to start tonight, but Tony Graffanino got the start at 1B instead and went 2-for-3, raising his very trade-enticing batting average to .325. The Royals draw a tough righty tomorrow, Jon Garland, so the smart money would probably be on Huber sitting for another day. Then again, Huber hasn't played in a game in three days now, so it's also possible that manager Buddy Bell will give him the nod tomorrow.

We did, however, receive some potentially distressing news when we read on the Royals website that Allard Baird anticipates Huber will probably be sent back down to Wichita upon Sweeney's return. RC's Official BS detector went off immediately, as there are far too many factors at play to be able to predict that with any certainty. Here's our list of things that could happen to keep Huber in KC for the rest of the year:

1) Huber hits too well to send down (RC places the odds at 50-50)
2) Sweeney's wrist is really screwed up (60-40)
3) Matt Stairs and/or Graffanino are traded before Sweeney returns (70-30)

In other words, we don't buy Baird's statement for a second. We'll be shocked if Huber spends another minute in Kansas ever again, unless he decides to buy a house in Leawood, undoubtably near the Outback Steakhouse.

RC #2 Royals prospect Billy Butler returned to action tonight with a bang. Butler went 3-for-5, smashing a two-run double to center in his first at bat back after missing 19 games with a hairline fracture in his wrist. Chris Lubanski also celebrated Butler's return, collecting three hits of his own, including a shot off the wall in the eighth inning that was hit so hard that it only went for a single.

As RC is probably the fastest-growing blog in the history of the blogosphere, we are pleased to announce that we are expanding our operation. Devoted Royals fan and minor league guru Craig Weddle has agreed to write for RC, so our legions of fans will now be treated to even more excellent commentary. Stay tuned, as we here at RC look forward to Craig's contributions in the near future.