Royals Spring Training 2/19: Nobody Wins Intrasquad Matchup

Leave it to the Royals. In a matchup that pitted Royals from the United States against Royals from other nations, neither team won, playing to a 5-5 tie in 6 and a half innings of intrasquad ball.

While there was no broadcast, the combination of Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc), Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) and Mike Swanson (@Swanee54) updated inning by inning on Twitter to give fans the first running play by play of the 2013 season.

Aug 18, 2012; Papillion, NE, USA; Omaha Storm Chasers shortstop Christian Colon (4) in the first inning against the Nashville Sounds at Werner Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Ryerson-USA TODAY Sports

Some highlights included:

• Alex Gordon lead off the game with a double, then scored on an Eric Hosmer double. Both came off Bruce Chen. Hosmer scored after Jeff Francoeur singled.
• Jarrod Dyson and Elliot Johnson singled off Luis Mendoza, then Brett Hayes singled to load the bases. A groundout by Adam Moore scored Dyson, then a two runs scored on a misplay by Irving Falu on a Chris Getz hit (Dutton called it an error; Swanson just called it a grounder). That made the score 5-0.
• Salvador Perez put the World team on the board with a homer off of Tim Collins.
• Cheslor Cuthbert homered off Chris Dwyer to make it 5-3.
• Christian Colon singled to tie the game at 5-5, his second hit of the game. He later added a diving play at short to help Sugar Ray Marimon get through his inning.
• The game ended after Noel Arguelles worked a perfect top of the seventh to end the game in a tie.

What is there to take away from this game? Very little, really. Hosmer had the double and also walked, so those certainly aren’t bad signs. Colon had a nice day as well.

The Royals have another US vs. World intrasquad game on Wednesday with the following lineups:

Goldberg points out that the World side is short pitchers, so Luke Hochevar and others will fill in.

The two intriguing performances in this game are those of Cuthbert and Arguelles. Cuthbert’s still considered a good prospect, but he’s been in murky waters after a fading finish in 2011 and a rough 2012 where he chased too many pitches and had some trouble at an advanced level. Cuthbert only turned 20 this offseason and has already worked through two rookie levels and was in High A last year. The tools look to be there by most reports, and as he gets more comfortable in the States, he should be able to get back on track. A homer in the first game-type action of spring is encouraging.

Arguelles has had a rough time as a pro as well. He got hurt shortly after signing and saw his velocity drop. Then last year he walked more batters than he struck out in Double A. He’s drifting off prospect rankings as others enter the system, but there might still be hope for him to get turned around. Dave Eiland said he’s made adjustments. The Royals have some time yet to find out, as he’s under a major league contract until after 2014.

In other news, Jeremy Guthrie told Dick Kaegel that he turned down other offers to stay in Kansas City, crediting the team defense behind him as well as Salvador Perez. He also noted that the peace of mind of having Greg Holland closing helped convince him to return.

Finally, Ned Yost apparently left camp just before the intrasquad game ended – but no reason has yet been given as to why. He’s expected back on Wednesday.