Web posted
Friday, March 14, 2008
Saunders throws four shutout innings
Royals rally to defeat Los Angeles Angels
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Joe Saunders is having the kind of spring he wished he had last year.
Saunders threw four shutout innings in his third start for the Los Angeles Angels, who lost 6-5 to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Damon Hollins, a nonroster invitee who played last year in Japan, went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer for the Royals, who have won four straight.
Saunders, the Angels' No. 5 starter, gave up two hits, walked two and hit a batter, but also induced two double-play grounders. He has allowed five hits and one run in nine innings, a 1.00 ERA, in three starts.
''I'm further along than I was last year,'' Saunders said. ''I had elbow tightness last year and it kind of set me back. I had to miss a start here in spring. This year I threw more pitches during the offseason and got my arm in better shape for spring.''
Saunders, a 26-year-old left-hander, was 8-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 18 starts in 2007 with the Angels.
Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who is competing for a spot in the Royals rotation, worked four innings and gave up two runs on four hits, including Erick Aybar's home run to lead off the third. He walked three and struck out three and has a 7.56 ERA in three outings.
''De La Rosa had better fastball command today in spots,'' Royals manager Trey Hillman said. ''He threw more cutters, and commanded it some, but when he missed he missed in non-dangerous spots. Overall, I was pleased with his performance. This is the best Jorge has thrown no doubt.''
Matt Tupman's squeeze bunt scored Ross Gload with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
''We're just going to work on some things we might have to do during the season and do whatever we need to do,'' Hillman said. ''Coming in I wanted to diversify and be a little unpredictable and that was pretty unpredictable. Hopefully, we can make people a little bit nervous at unpredictability before the season. When we have opportunities to do something, we'll try to do something.''
Mike Maroth, who was bothered by a stiff shoulder early in March, picked up the win in his first outing, although he gave up a home run to Terry Evans on his second pitch. Joel Peralta worked a perfect ninth, striking out two, to log his second save.
Notes: Royals RF Jose Guillen, who has played in only three games, was scratched from the lineup when he reported with flulike symptoms and running a 101-degree temperature. ... Royals LHP John Bale worked five innings in a 'B' game 7-2 victory over the Rangers. He allowed one run on five hits, walked none and struck out six. LF Justin Huber hit a two-run homer for Kansas City.
|
