ST game 2 recap (3/5): Greinke’s return

From a 13-3 loss to a 4-2 win.  Even in spring training, the difference is Royals ace Zack Greinke.  The results of spring games aren’t terribly important, but 1-1 is better than 0-2.

For the second straight game the Royals offense mustered just 7 hits and again drew only one walk.  We’re still waiting for someone in the lineup to have a multi-hit game.  On a positive note, they got to young stud Neftali Feliz in the 8th inning.

Kendall was again hitting 2nd in the lineup with Podsednik leading off.  Spots 3-6 were occupied by DeJesus, Butler, Ankiel, and Callaspo.  I’d much rather DJ hit leadoff, but since that is clearly not going to happen, I like the thought of him hitting in front of Butler.  Following Billy with Ankiel and Bert looks, on the surface, to be a pretty decent idea.  Getz got the nod at SS and had his first error of the spring.

Greinke was brilliant in his 3.0 innings of work allowing only one hit and no walks.  Roman Colon was also impressive throwing two clean innings with two strikeouts.  Adam Bostick pitched a shutout inning with 2 SO, but also gave up 1 H and 1 BB.  Brad Thompson and Bryan Bullington each gave up a run.

While on the topic of Greinke, Bob Dutton’s latest Royals Notebook entry included the following thoughts from Zack:

"“It’s not bad, but it’s not like, `Oh, that’s the best off-season.’ We’ll see how it comes together. There’s no way we clearly made ourselves the best team in the Central, but it’s not impossible (for us to win) either. It just depends on how we come together.” _ Zack Greinke in assessing the Royals’ off-season personnel moves."

Clearly our Cy Young Award winner isn’t exactly pleased with Dayton’s handiwork this offseason.  It is quotes like the above that make him one of my favorite players.  If I could go to lunch with any two major league players, I’d choose Zack and Tim Lincecum.  Greinke for his wit, intelligence, and wry sense of humor.  Lincecum because of things like this.

This afternoon’s game is currently underway with the Royals up 1-0 in the 4th inning.  Meche pitched a clean 2.0 innings and Aaron Crow is now in the game.  The lineup looks a lot better today with DJ, Getz, and Callaspo at the top, but that is likely due to the fact that Podsednik and Kendall aren’t in the game.

I hope to get some other stuff published later tonight including some thoughts on Gaby Hernandez, the reveal of KoK prospect #11, and maybe a longer Greinke post that I’ve been working on.

(Wally Fish is the lead blogger for Kings of Kauffman and FanSided’s MLB Director.  Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)