T-minus 2...Royals inch closer to futility record with 19th straight defeat

The Royals had no chance today. Jose Lima vs. Rich Harden, one of baseball's best young pitchers, did not exactly make for an intriguing matchup. When the A's jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning, the game was, for all intents and purposes, over. Harden was dominant, and the Royals continued to look clueless at the plate.

Of course, the game was not without the comedy we have grown accustomed to during this losing streak. In the fourth inning, Mark Kotsay hit a ground ball to Mike Sweeney, who began shouting "I got it" at Lima as he raced toward first. For whatever reason, Lima continued running toward the bag, and the two Royals collided after Sweeney stepped on the base, both men falling to the ground after banging knees.


Sweeney was almost killed by Lima today.

Somehow, both avoided injury, but that didn't keep RC from putting a paper bag over his head, even though he was watching the game in solitude from RC headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

If that wasn't bad enough, the Royals' other productive player, David DeJesus, had to leave the game early with a sore rib cage muscle. No word on how serious it is, but with the Royals' luck, DDJ could be out a while.


How long will DeJesus be out of the lineup?

It doesn't get any easier for the Royals tomorrow, as former Athletic Mike Wood is scheduled to take on Barry Zito. It looks like another mismatch, but who knows? Maybe tomorrow will be the day the Royals finally break the streak.


RC wants a good start from Wood tomorrow.

Of course, RC won't get to see it. We are heading to Richmond for an intriguing pitching matchup between two top-notch prospects, Joel Zumaya (Tigers) and Chuck James (Braves). There will be no RC post tomorrow night, but rest assured that we will be back on Sunday with full coverage of the Royals weekend games, as well as a detailed report (with more RC photos) on whether or not we think Zumaya is someone the Royals are going to have to worry about.

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Around the minors tonight:

Justin Huber went 1-for-4 for the Wranglers, hitting his third HR and second in the last four games at double-A.

Chris Lubanski mashed another homer (23) in High Desert's 14-7 win over Rancho Cucamonga. Also going deep for the Mavs was Kila Kaaihue (15), and Adam Keim, who slammed his 20th HR for the Mavs and 24th of the season (between HD and Wichita).

Chris Demaria continues to get it done, throwing two more scoreless innings for the Wranglers, striking out 4 while walking only one batter, his first walk in 5.2 innings of work in double-A. After posting a 2.23 ERA for the Mavericks in 60.2 IP, Demaria has yet to allow a run in his three appearances for Wichita following a promotion RC feels was long overdue.

Aaron Guiel went 1-for-5 for Omaha, but slammed another HR (29).

Dennis Tankersley hurled a complete game victory for the O-Royals, going 9.0 IP while surrendering 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, and 2 HR. His ERA is now down to 4.31.

Ruben Gotay (WCH) continued his hot pace for the Wranglers, going 2-for-4 with 1 R, 1 RBI, and 1 BB. Current BA: .267

The above was taken from today's Daily Prospect Update, which you can subscribe to by sending a blank e-mail to Royalscorner-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and following the instructions, which will instruct you to send confirmation in an automatic return e-mail (Editor's note: you do NOT have to sign up for a yahoo ID).