Joakim Soria was charged with a blown save on Tuesday, and the lose, as he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the ninth inning of the contest against the Cubs in Cactus League play. Aramis Ramirez hit an opposite field, 3 run shot to top the Royals 6-5.
This lose sends the Royals back to exactly .500 in spring training ball. The starting pitching seemed to be solid, as John Bale gave up 4 runs on 5 hits spread over 5 and 2/3 innings.
One of the more positive lights for the Royals is the continued play from Mark Teahen. This kid did it again. He had 3 big hits, including a clutch, game-tying double in the 7th inning, following a two-run double by Alberto Callaspo.
All in all, I have to say that the offensive steam that this years Royals seem to have is not going away as the spring grinds on. I am very happy to see that the offensive potential does not seem to be the problem this year as it has been in years past. It looks like creating runs is becoming an option for this club once again.
Soria gave up the game winning shot, and got the lose in this one, but I don’t think that this is any alarm for concern. He is doing just fine. We have to remember it is still only spring training, and maybe he needs to knock a little more dust off before the real season starts in April.
Overall, a pretty decent performance offensively, and there is still alot of potential talent waiting to be exposed. Let’s just hope that the youth of this team all take hold of Hillman’s philosophy and peak at the same, and right, times.