ACE 30. TODAY S STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Josh Tomlin (2-3, 8.87) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (4-1, 1.42)

Transcription

1 Royals vs. Indians The Royals snapped an 8-game losing streak to the Indians with last night s 3-1 victory...kc scuffled to a 5-14 mark vs. Cleveland last year...kc trails the all-time series by a margin, but lead in Kansas City, in Kauffman Stadium. Date Site Score WP LP Att. 5/5 KC W, 3-1 Hammel Salazar 25,722 5/6 KC 5/7 KC Cle Cle Cle Kansas City Royals OFFICIAL GAME NOTES Cleveland Indians Kansas City Royals (10-18) Kauffman Stadium - Saturday, May 6, 2017 Game #29 - Home Game #16 FS 1 (HD), ESPN Radio and KCSP Radio (610 Sports) UPCOMING PITCHING PROBABLES Sunday, May 7 vs. Cleveland Indians: TBA vs. LHP Danny Duffy (2-2, 3.89), 1:15 p.m., FSKC (HD) & 610 Sports Monday, May Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Nate Karns (1-2, 4.97) vs. LHP Blake Snell (0-2, 3.45), 6:10 p.m. (EDT), FSKC (HD) & 610 Sports Tuesday, May Tampa Bay Rays: TBA vs. RHP Matt Andriese (2-1, 3.09), 6:10 p.m. (EDT), FSKC (HD) & 610 Sports Wednesday, May Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Jason Hammel (1-3, 5.53) vs. RH Chris Archer (2-1, 3.57), 6:10 p.m. (EDT), FSKC (HD) & 610 Sports Thursday, May Tampa Bay Rays: LHP Jason Vargas (4-1+ today) vs. RH Jake Odorizzi (1-1+ today), 12:10 p.m. (EDT), FSKC (HD) & 610 Sports Today s game is being broadcast in Kansas City on KCSP Radio (610 Sports) and the Royals Radio Network with Royals Hall of Famer Denny Matthews, Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart, while Don Free controls the dials as the producer/engineer...today is being televised nationally in 4K on FS 1 with Justin Kutcher and Eric Karros...today is also being heard nationally on ESPN Radio with Mike Couzens and Chris Singleton. TRIPLE H STAKES KC TO WIN--Jason Hammel provided 6.0 innings, Eric Hosmer had three hits including a go-ahead home run and Kelvin Herrera worked a scoreless ninth to give Kansas City a series opening 3-1 win over the Tribe...the victory snapped KC s 8-game losing streak to Cleveland dating back to last summer...hammel, in his best start as a Royal, allowed only three hits and a run, a solo Edwin Encarnacion home run, with two walks and six strikeouts...scott Alexander and Joakim Soria combined to retire the six men they faced and then Herrera worked around a 2-out double to record his fourth save... Hosmer, who recorded his third straight multi-hit game, turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage in the fifth inning with a Statcast ciphered 458-foot home run into the water spectacular in right-center...alcides Escobar extended the lead to 3-1 with a perfectly executed hit & run in the sixth, doubling home Jorge Bonifacio...the win upped KC s mark in May to 3-2 after a rough 7-16 April. ROSTER MOVE--The Royals today recalled outfielder Jorge Soler from his minor league injury rehab stint with Omaha (AAA) and activated him from the 10-day disabled list...soler, 25, has been out since mid-spring training with a left oblique strain, but once deemed ready for action was assigned to the Storm Chasers where he batted.308 (12-for-39) in 11 games with three home runs and seven RBI...included was a 6-game hitting streak snapped on Thursday in which he batted.409 (9-for-22)... to make room on the roster, Kansas City optioned pitcher Miguel Almonte back to Northwest Arkansas (AA) just a day after he was recalled to replace Ian Kennedy. BACK IN THE LAND OF HOZ--Eric Hosmer s sizzling week continued last night with three hits, featuring a double and 2-run homer, the roundtripper a Statcast estimated 458-foot blast that staked KC to a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning...hoz has now hit safely in nine straight games at a.441 clip (15-for-34) highlighted by a OPS, upping his season average to.271 entering play today...it s a 79-point turnaround from where he was after play on April 24, when he was mired with a.192 season average, with a.500 OPS...he s been particularly en fuego in the last three games going 7-for-10. MINI TRIP AHEAD--This stretch of games in which Kansas City is playing 15 of 19 in Kauffman Stadium will be interrupted next week by a 4-game road trip to Tampa Bay...the Royals have gone 3-4 with a rainout through the first six games of this stretch, but will return from St. Pete for 3-game sets against Baltimore and the Yankees...as for play with the Rays, KC was 5-2 last year, including a 2-2 split in The Trop...the Royals and Rays each have 73 wins all-time in the series. ACE 30 REMEMBERING YO--The morning of January 22, 2017 will always be remembered as one of the most tragic days in franchise history when word was received that pitcher Yordano Ventura had his life cut short due to a car accident in his native Dominican Republic...signed as a 17-year old in 2008, the fireballing righthander compiled a during his abbreviated Major League career...among many highlights, Ace will be most remembered for blanking the San Francisco Giants over 7.0 innings in Game #6 of the 2014 World Series to force a seventh and deciding game, while pitching with a heavy heart himself due to the untimely passing of his friend Oscar Tavares...to honor the late Ventura, all uniforms in 2017 will be adorned with the ACE 30 patch. TODAY S STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Josh Tomlin (2-3, 8.87) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (4-1, 1.42) Career Career Josh Tomlin vs. Royals Major League Record 2-3 (8.87 ERA) Jason Vargas vs. Indians Major League Record 4-1 (1.42 ERA) JASON VARGAS takes the hill for his sixth start of the season, 202nd of his career and his 222nd overall appearance...today is the 14th time he s faced Cleveland, ninth as a member of the Royals...the 34-year-old is in the final season of a four-year contract he signed with Kansas City on November 22, STREAK STOPPER--Once again, the Royals called on Jason to stop a losing skid and once again he delivered, tossing the first 6.0 innings of a 6-1 triumph over the White Sox on Monday to end KC s nine-game drought...he scattered five hits, allowing the lone run with three walks and a strikeout, avenging his first loss of the season (12-1) the previous week in Chicago...he gave up a fourth inning run, but the Royals rallied with consecutive two-run innings to give Jason all the support he needed as he retired seven of the final eight he faced...it marked the earliest he s reached four wins in his career, Jason s 2017 Starts DATE OPPONENT SCORE IP H R ER HR BB SO TP-K LEFT 4/7 at Houston W, /13 Oakland W, /19 San Francisco W, /24 at Chicago-AL L, /1 Chicago-AL W, Totals % Career Totals supplanting his 2012 campaign with Seattle, when he earned win No. 4 on May 9...he also remained unbeaten in his last nine starts at Kauffman Stadium, dating back to the beginning of in that span, he s gone 5-0 and posted a 2.08 ERA (11 ER in 47.2 IP) here. A WINNING RECORD--A victory today would move Jason s career record over.500 (72-71) for the first time since 2005, when he was 5-4 after his 15th all-time appearance...he s reached the break-even point several times, including twice this year, but has never been over.500 since dropping five-straight decisions during AMONG THE ELITE--Vargas has gotten off to a fast start in 2017, entering the day tied for third in the American League in wins (four), while he ranks third in ERA (1.42) and tied for sixth in WHIP (0.98) among qualifying pitchers...he s also posted the second-fewest walks per 9.0 innings (1.42) in the Junior Circuit and has the fourth-best strikeouts-to-walks ratio (5.80), fanning 29 hitters, compared to just five free passes. RETIRING THE LEADER--Vargy is one of the best in the league at retiring the leadoff man, entering today fourth in the A.L., holding the first hitter of the inning to a.212 on-base percentage, while they re hitting.161 (5-for-31), good for seventh in the Junior Circuit...since the start of 2015, Vargy has held leadoff men to a.198 batting average (17-for-86), while they re reaching base at a.233 clip, as he s gone 9-3 with a 2.80 ERA. THE COMEBACK--Vargas made three starts last September, including his first appearance in the Majors since July 21, 2015 according to Jon Roegele s Tommy John surgery database at The Hardball Times, Vargas return from Tommy John surgery (409 days) was the fastest by a Major League starting pitcher since Gavin Floyd (363 days) in 2014 in eight starts since his return (including five this season), Vargas is 4-1 with a 1.65 ERA (8 ER in 43.2 IP)...he has also held the opposition to a.211 batting average (34-for-161), which ranks 13th among A.L. hurlers since his return last September 17 (min. 40 IP). VS. TRIBE--Today is his 14th career start against Cleveland and ninth since joining KC in he s 6-3 with a 4.68 ERA (38 ER in 73.0 IP), which includes a 4-1 mark and a 4.23 ERA as a Royal...he last faced the Tribe on September 22, his second start after returning from Tommy John surgery, taking a no-decision after allowing two runs over 4.0 innings an eventual 5-2 KC loss...he s 10-7 with a 4.15 ERA against A.L. Central foes since the start of 2014, including 1-1 this year. HOME SWEET HOME--Vargas is undefeated in his last nine home starts, going 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA (11 ER in 47.2 IP) since the start of he has the lowest home ERA (0.44) in the A.L. this season, having allowed just one earned run in his three starts at Kauffman Stadium...in his career, he is with a 3.52 ERA in 101 starts (109 outings) at his various home parks. Vargas vs. Indians Player AVG AB H HR RBI Michael Brantley Vargas Last Win: Lonnie Chisenhall May 1, 2017 vs. Chicago White Sox (6.0 IP, 6-1 over Dylan Covey) Edwin Encarnacion Yan Gomes Vargas Last Loss: Brandon Guyer April 24, 2017 at Chicago White Sox (5.0 IP, 1-12 to Miguel Gonzalez) Jason Kipnis Vargas Strikeout High: Francisco Lindor ; 2x, last: June 26, 2012 vs. Oakland (6.2 IP, 3-2 win over Jim Miller) Michael Martinez Vargas Last Complete Game (11th career) and Last Shutout (6th career): Roberto Perez August 13, 2014 vs. Oakland (9.0 IP, 3-0 win over Scott Kazmir) Jose Ramirez Carlos Santana Kansas City Royals One Royal Way Kansas City, MO Kansas City Royals 2017

2 Pitching Notes Tomorrow s Starter - Danny Duffy = Danny wraps up this nine-game stay, making his team-leading seventh start tomorrow vs. the Tribe...he s 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 37.0 innings. = The lefty dropped his second-straight outing last Tuesday evening, falling to the White Sox, he surrendered six runs on a season-high 10 hits with two walks and three strikeouts in his 5.0 innings-plus...it marked his first time allowing 10 hits or more in a start since July 6, 2014 to these Indians. = The bottom of the batting order has given Duff fits this season, with the No. 7-9 hitters in the lineup batting.333 (13-for-39) against him with three doubles, a triple and a homer (.538 SLG)...he s held hitters No. 1-6 to a.247 average (24-for-97) with three doubles and a homer (.309 SLG). = He's 2-3 with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts and 12 outings vs. Cleveland...he made just one relief appearance against the Tribe in 2016, working 1.2 scoreless frames. = Danny snapped a run of 16-straight home starts without a loss, which dated back to September 5, 2015, also against the White Sox...he s 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in his two home starts this season, while he s gone with a 3.93 ERA in 67 all-time outings (56 starts) here at Kauffman Stadium Pitching Lines G W-L SV SVO ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO OPP AVG Starters Relievers Totals Bullpen Totals: 1st Batter Efficiency: 61/87 (70.1%) Saves/Save Opp: 4/8 (50.0%) Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 45/15 (33.3%) Scott Alexander (L) 1st Batter Efficiency: 9/9 Saves/Save Opp: 0/0 (0.0%) Last Save: n/a Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 7/ Strikeout High: 3 on 4/18 vs. SF May 5 vs. Cleveland = Scott made his fifth-straight scoreless outing, setting the Tribe down in order in the seventh last night with three ground outs...among AL relievers that have worked at least 12.0 innings this season, he s tied for seventh in ERA (1.35) and eighth in opponents average (.156). = Since last August 31, he s posted a 0.93 ERA (2 ER in 19.1 IP), ranking him ninth in the Majors among pitchers that have worked at least 15.0 innings in that span. = Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last season pitched for the Royals in parts of the last three seasons...held righties to a.214 average (18-for-84) in his career. Kelvin Herrera 1st Batter Efficiency: 8/11 Saves/Save Opp: 4/5 (80.0%) Last Save: May 5 vs. CLE (21st) Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 0/ Strikeout High: 1 (7x) last: 5/4 vs. CWS May 5 vs. Cleveland (Save) = Kelvin recorded his first save in 16 days last night, working around a two-out double by Edwin Encarnacion in the ninth...it was his fourth save of the season in five chances and first since April 19 vs. San Francisco...ranks 15th among AL relievers in WHIP (0.82) and tied for 20th in walks per 9.0 IP (1.64). = Since the start of 2014, Herrera has held opponents to a.210 average (170-for-809), ranking him 21st among AL relievers in that span. = He earned his second consecutive All-Star selection in 2016, making a team-high 72 appearances with career highs in saves (12) and strikeouts (86). Mike Minor (L) 1st Batter Efficiency: 7/11 Saves/Save Opp: 0/0 (0.0%) Last Save: n/a Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 4/ Strikeout High: 3 on 5/4 vs. CWS May 4 vs. Chicago = Mike tossed another 1.2 scoreless frames Thursday in relief of Ian Kennedy...three of his last five relief outings have been for more than one inning, including a career-high 3.0 innings on April 20 in Texas...posted a 2.45 ERA and a.179 opponents average over his last eighth appearances (11.0 innings). = Made his Royals debut on Opening Day, his first Major League appearance since Sept. 20, 2014 with Atlanta is in his second season with the Royals organization he didn t pitch in the Majors in 2016, but made 10 outings between Omaha (AAA) and Northwest Arkansas (AA) on two separate rehab assignments. = Spent his first five big league seasons with the Atlanta Braves ( ), predominantly working as a starter set a career high with 13 victories in Peter Moylan 1st Batter Efficiency: 13/16 Saves/Save Opp: 0/0 (0.0%) Last Save: Sept. 9, 2012 at NYM (4th) Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 11/2 (18.2%) 2017 Strikeout High: 2 (2x), last: 5/1 vs. CWS May 1 vs. Chicago = Peter recorded a seventh inning Wednesday, setting the Sox down on 12 pitches in the seventh inning...he s bounced back with consecutive flawless outings after a pair of rough appearances in Chicago last week, allowing six runs over 1.1 innings...his 16 appearances are tied for second in the American League. = Moylan remains unbeaten in his last 114 appearances, the second-longest active streak among pitchers currently on a Major League roster (Sam Freeman, 120) his last loss came on September 7, 2011 at Philadelphia (with Atlanta) he also had a streak of 104 outings without a loss from = He s tied for the Major League lead with 46 outings since last July 31...in that span, he s posted a 3.13 ERA (11 ER in 31.2 IP) and a.217 opponents average. Joakim Soria 1st Batter Efficiency: 11/12 Saves/Save Opp: 0/1 (0.0%) Last Save: April 13, 2016 at HOU (203rd) Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 3/ Strikeout High: 4 on 4/15 vs. LAA May 5 vs. Cleveland = Joakim struck out the side in the eighth inning last night, the first time he s fanned all three hitters he s faced in an inning since May 7, 2015 (with Detroit) against the White Sox...he s made consecutive scoreless outings after allowing three earned runs and suffering his first loss April 28 vs. Minnesota. = Opened the year with nine-straight appearances without allowing a run (10.0 innings), the longest run by a Royals reliever this season. = His four strikeouts on April 15 vs. the Angels are tied for the most by a Royals reliever this season and his top total since May 7, 2015 against these White Sox...with two more appearances, will tie Mark Gubicza (382) for fourth in club history, while he's third on KC's all-time list with 161 saves as a Royal. Matt Strahm (L) 1st Batter Efficiency: 4/8 Saves/Save Opp: 0/0 (0.0%) Last Save: n/a Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 5/ Strikeout High: 4 on 5/3 vs. CWS May 3 vs. Chicago = Matt tossed the final 2.0 innings in Wednesday night s victory, retiring the first five hitters he faced, before allowing a two-out homer to Jose Abreu...also collected four strikeouts in the outing, matching the second-highest total of his career...he has eight strikeouts over his last four appearances (5.2 IP). = Since being recalled from Omaha (AAA) on April 21, he s allowed one run over five outings after allowing seven runs in his first three appearances of = Strahm had the longest scoreless streak by a Royals reliever in 2016, going 16.1 consecutive innings without a run (August 2-September 10). Travis Wood (L) 1st Batter Efficiency: 5/11 Saves/Save Opp: 0/1 (0.0%) Last Save: Oct. 4, 2015 at MIL (4th) Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 11/ Strikeout High: 1 (6x) last:5/4 vs. CWS May 4 vs. Chicago = Travis surrendered three runs (two earned) in 2.0 innings Thursday afternoon, being greeted with three-straight hits to start the seventh...he s allowed multiple runs in five of his 11 appearances this season, after doing so five times in 77 outings with the Cubs in tied for sixth in the AL, having faced 11 inherited runners. = Suffered defeat in back-to-back appearances, April 20-22, snapping a streak of 105 consecutive outings without a loss...it was tied for the longest active streak. = Ranked sixth in the NL last season with 77 appearances, all out of the Cubs bullpen went 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA (20 ER in 61.0 IP) and 12 holds. Chris Young 1st Batter Efficiency: 5/8 Saves/Save Opp: 0/0 (0.0%) Last Save: Aug. 14, 2016 at MIN (1st) Last Outing: IP H R ER BB SO Inherited Runners/Runners Scored: 4/ Strikeout High: 2 on 5/2 vs. CWS May 2 vs. Chicago = Chris pitched 3.0 scoreless innings Tuesday night, his first action in a week...it matched the second-longest relief outing of his career and tied for the longest by a Royal this season...allowed both of his inherited runners to score in the sixth inning. = Since the start of 2015, Young is 5-1 with a 3.49 ERA (27 ER in 67.2 IP) as a reliever and is 9-14 with a 4.70 ERA as a starting pitcher (81 ER in IP). = His career.230 opponents average is second best among active pitchers (min IP), trailing only Clayton Kershaw (.205). Alexander Duffy Hammel Herrera Karns Minor Moylan Soria Strahm Vargas Wood Young Royals vs. Indians 2017 Career Pitcher W-L S ERA G IP H ER W-L S ERA G IP H ER

3 Hitting Notes Jorge Bonifacio This Series: 2-for-4, run This Stand: 6-for-25 (.140), 3 runs, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB Hit Streak: 1 g (2-4) = Jorge snapped an 0-for-13 skid last night with a one-out single in the fourth inning and a leadoff single in the sixth before scoring on Escobar s double. = He hit his second career home run, a go-ahead, two-run shot in the fourth inning on Monday to mark the first HR by a Royal with a RISP this season. = Bonifacio started in center field and batted third in the Royals lineup on April 22 at Texas, his second career start he went 2-for-4 with his first career home run in the third inning, becoming the sixth Royal ever to homer within his first two Major League games and first since Mike Moustakas in = Hit.314/.386/.608 (16-for-51) with seven extra-base hits and a team-high 12 RBI in 13 games at Triple-A Omaha before his recall on April 21. = Named Storm Chasers Player of the Year by the Omaha media in 2016, batting.277 with 19 HR and 86 RBI, leading the team in runs (82), hits (137), triples (six), homers, RBI, total bases (228) and walks (51), earning a selection to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. = He and Emilio Bonifacio (2013), are the third set of brothers to play for the Royals, joining George and Ken Brett and Tony Jr. and Francisco Peña. Drew Butera This Series: Has not played This Stand: 0-for-3 Hit Streak: 0 g (0-6) = Drew went 0-for-3 on Tuesday in his first start since April 23 at Texas and is now 3-for-19 (.158) this season, including 0-for-his-last-6. = Homered in back-to-back games in Cleveland last June 2-3 he s 2-for-7 with an RBI vs. Josh Tomlin. = Butera played in four games at the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy, going 4-for-14 (.286) with two homers and four runs scored. = Set career highs in doubles (10), home runs (four), batting average (.285), on-base (.328) and slugging (.480) in 2016, making 34 starts behind the plate and reaching base in 26 of those games he hit.275 (30-for-109) as a starter and.357 (5-for-14) off the bench. Lorenzo Cain This Series: 1-for-3, BB This Stand: 6-for-25 (.240), 4 runs, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB Hit Streak: 3 g (4-10) = Lorenzo singled and walked last night and is batting.400/.500/.700 (4-for-10) in his last three games following a 2-for-27 (.074) skid. = Cain has reached safely in 23 of 27 games and has reached safely at least twice 18 times his.388 on-base percentage leads all Royals. = He leads the Royals with 18 walks in 116 plate appearances this season after walking just 31 times in 434 PA last season. = Ranks fourth in MLB with a.325 average (83-for-255) in day games since 2015, trailing J.T. Realmuto (.367), Dee Gordon (.363) & Francisco Cervelli (.329). = He hit.320 (56-for-175) vs. AL Central opponents in 2016, but is just 8-for-45 (.178) this season he s 6-for-21 (.286) with two doubles and two RBI vs. Tomlin. = He hit a two-out, solo home run in the fifth inning on Sunday vs. Minnesota, his first since Aug. 26, 2016, snapping a streak of 96 at-bats without a homer. = Ranks tied for fourth in the AL with six stolen bases and is 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts in his last 33 games dating back to last season. Christian Colón This Series: Has not played This Stand: 2-for-6 (.333), run, sac Hit Streak: 3 g (3-10) = Christian last played on Tuesday in a 6-0 loss to Quintana and was the only Royal to reach second base after bunting in the eighth and advancing on a walk. = He s a career.313 hitter (56-for-179) vs. AL Central teams, the highest average within the divison among current Royals since 2014 (min. 150 at-bats). = He is batting.304/.347/.478 (14-for-46) with seven XBH and five RBI in 16 career games vs. Cleveland, including his first career hit, a triple, on July 4, = Colón has a career.397 on-base percentage when leading off an inning, which ranks fourth among AL hitters since the start of 2014 (min. 60 plate appearances). Cheslor Cuthbert This Series: Has not played This Stand: 1-for-6 (.167), 2B Hit Streak: 1 g (1-3) = Cheslor had a one-out double in the sixth inning Thursday, his first extra-base hit since a solo HR on April 8 at Houston (he went 2-for-29 in between). = Cuthbert hit.353/.443/.529 (18-for-51) with five extra-base hits, six RBI and nine walks in 18 games vs. Cleveland last season. = Won the American League rookie batting title last season, hitting.274 (130-for-475) also led AL rookies in doubles (28), tied for the lead in multi-hit games (33) and ranked second in hits (130) his 12 HR were third most by a Royals rookie third baseman, two shy of Kevin Seitzer (1987) and Alex Gordon (2007). = His 123 starts at third base last season were fourth most by a Royals rookie, behind Seitzer (139 in 1987), Gordon (129 in 2007) and George Brett (128 in 1974). Alcides Escobar This Series: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI This Stand: 6-for-25 (.240), run, 3 2B, 3 RBI, HBP Hit Streak: 1 g (1-4) = Esky had an RBI double in the sixth last night, his third double in five games and his fourth RBI in eight games, after recording just one RBI in his first 20 games the RBI double snapped the Cleveland bullpen s scoreless-innings streak at 23.0, dating back to April 26 and was the first earned run they ve allowed since April 18. = He s batting.294 (5-for-17) in five games this month following a.171 (14-for-82) April. = Alcides enters today with 199 consecutive starts dating back to September 26, 2015, the longest active streak in the Majors he is 13 starts shy of matching Paul Schaal (212 straight starts from ) for the most consecutive starts in Royals history, according to STATS. = Has played in 971 games since joining the Royals prior to the 2011 season, third most in the Majors behind Robinson Cano (984) and Adrian Gonzalez (975). = Led the American League with 10 sacrifices last season his 65 sacrifices since the start of 2011 are second most in the Majors, behind Elvis Andrus (70). Alex Gordon This Series: 0-for-4 This Stand: 3-for-20 (.150), run, 2 2B, RBI, 3 BB, HBP Hit Streak: 0 g (0-6) = Alex went 0-for-4 last night, snapping his on-base streak at eight games, in which he posted a.387 on-base percentage. = He took his fourth hit-by-pitch on Thursday tied for second in the AL the 79th of his career, breaking a tie with Mike Macfarlane for the Royals record. = Gordon has 76 career outfield assists, which leads the Majors since 2010, including his most recent on April 25 in Chicago, a 7-2 putout to save a run. = A four-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, Gordon was charged with an error on May 13, 2016, snapping a streak of 188 consecutive games without one, dating back to August 2, 2014 he s been charged with just one error in 118 games (117 starts) since. Eric Hosmer This Series: 3-for-4, run, 2B, HR, 2 RBI This Stand: 11-for-25 (.440), 6 runs, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB Hit Streak: 9 g (15-34) = Eric fell a triple shy of the cycle last night, going 3-for-4 with a go-ahead, two-run home run in the fifth inning, his first go-ahead RBI of the season and 63rd since the start of 2015, tied with Bryce Harper for fourth most in the Majors, trailing Nolan Arenado and Albert Pujols (70 each) and Matt Kemp (68). = Hosmer has a nine-game hitting streak, batting.441/.459/.706 (15-for-34) with four extra-base hits and seven RBI, raising his average 79 points from.192 to.271. = He has reached safely in 25 of 28 games this season (only five AL players have reached in more games), including a 15-game on-base streak from April = He s batting.315/.377/.463 (17-for-54) in 15 home games this season and owns a career-high 22-game on-base streak at home dating back to last Sept. 17. Whit Merrifield This Series: 1-for-4, run This Stand: 5-for-24 (.208), 4 runs, HR, 2 RBI, BB Hit Streak: 1 g (1-4) = Whit singled to leadoff the fifth last night and scored the tying run on Hosmer s two-run home run he s started 13 of Kansas City s 16 games since his recall. = Merrifield threw out Melky Cabrera at second base to leadoff the fifth inning on Tuesday, his fourth career outfield assist in just 17 outfield starts. = He s a career.297 (65-for-219) hitter vs. AL Central opponents and hit his only two homers last season the first and second of his career on consecutive days vs. Cleveland, June he already has two homers this season in just 55 plate appearances, matching his total in 332 plate appearances last season. = Whit made his Major League debut last May and played in 81 games for the Royals, including starts at second base (55), left field (11), right field (three), third base (three) and first base (one), becoming the first Royal to start games at five different positions (none at DH) since Willie Bloomquist in Brandon Moss This Series: 0-for-3, BB This Stand: 4-for-17 (.235), 2 runs, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB Hit Streak: 0 g (0-3) = Brandon went 0-for-3 with a walk last night, extending his on-base streak to six games, including a solo HR in the seventh inning on April 28 vs. Minnesota. = Moss, who hit 15 HR in 94 games with Cleveland in 2015, is batting.319/.430/.597 (23-for-72) with 13 XBH and 15 RBI in 22 career games vs. his former team. = He has reached safely in eight straight home games, batting.286/.355/.500 (8-for-28) with two home runs during that stretch he has seven home runs and 22 RBI in 29 career games at Kauffman Stadium, including the 2014 Wild Card Game in which he had two HR and five RBI. = Moss has hit 106 home runs since the start of 2013, seventh most in the Majors during that time and one less than Robinson Cano (107). Mike Moustakas This Series: 1-for-4 This Stand: 6-for-25 (.240), 2 runs, 2 2B, RBI Hit Streak: 6 g (6-25) = Mike went 1-for-4 last night and now has a hit in 17 of his last 18 games, including an 11-game hitting streak from April and an active six-game streak. = Moose has a hit in 23 of the 25 games he s had an at-bat, tied for third most in the American League, trailing Mike Trout (hit in 27 games) and Kevin Pillar (24). = Moustakas is batting.303 (23-for-76) in 19 games vs. Cleveland since the start of 2015 he s batting.412 (7-for-17) with three doubles & two HR vs. Tomlin. = He was named Royals Player of the Month for April on Monday, leading the team in hits, home runs and slugging percentage to mark his third such honor. Salvador Perez This Series: 1-for-3, BB This Stand: 7-for-26 (.269), 3 runs, 3 2B, HR, 6 RBI, BB Hit Streak: 1 g (1-3) = Salvy snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a single in the fifth last night, chasing Danny Salazar from the game he also walked in the seventh, his fourth of the season. = He recorded his second caught stealing in as many games last night, and his third in 19 attempts this season, after throwing out 30 of 70 (42.9%) in = Perez ranks second on the team with six home runs, including one in four straight from April 6-9, one shy of Mike Sweeney s club record in = He s batting.293/ (17-for-58) with nine extra-base hits and nine RBI in 16 games vs. Cleveland since the start of last season he s batting /.552/.552/.931 (16-for-29) lifetime vs. tonight s opposing starter, Josh Tomlin, with eight doubles, one home run and six RBI. = He s hit 93 career HR, including 90 as a catcher, three shy of Mike Macfarlane s club record his 47 HR as a catcher since 2015 are most in the Majors. = A four-time Rawlings Gold Glove winner and a four-time All-Star, Perez has started 556 games behind the plate since 2013, most in the Major Leagues. Jorge Soler This Series: n/a This Stand: n/a Hit Streak: n/a = Jorge was reinstated prior to today s game from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha, where he hit.308/.400/.538 (12-for-39) with three HR in 11 games. = Soler was placed on the 10-day disabled list on April 2 with a strained left oblique after batting.143 (7-for-49) with two HR in 19 games this spring. = He was acquired from Chicago on Dec. 7, 2016 in exchange for Wade Davis played his first three seasons with the Cubs, batting.258 with 27 HR in 211 games.

4 This & That NEGRO LEAGUES SALUTE TOMORROW--The Negro League Baseball Museum takes centerstage this weekend, capped tomorrow with the annual Dressed to the Nines Day, asking fans to attend the 1:15 contest sporting their Sunday best...the day begins with an autograph session from 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m., at the Royals Hall of Fame building featuring former Kansas City Monarchs George Altman and Henry Pistol Mason, former Negro Leagues umpire Bob Motley and former Major Leaguers Jim Mudcat Grant and Joe Azcue...tomorrow s uniforms will be of the 42 Kansas City Monarchs and 46 Cleveland Buckeyes...game-worn autographed jerseys will be auctioned at with proceeds benefitting the NLBM...also, the first 15,000 fans will receive a free replica 42 Monarchs jersey courtesy of Fox Sports Kansas City HAMMEL TIME--Jason Hammel joined the Kansas City list of winners last night with the 3-1 victory over the Tribe, also his first victory in 10 tries (six starts) against Cleveland...just 48 hours after Nate Karns became the 294th different hurler to win a game for the Royals, Hammel became #295 with his 6.0 inning, three-hit, one-run performance last night...the lone blemish was a solo homer by Edwin Encarnacion in the fourth inning, but then after a Jason Kipnis double two hitters later, Hammel retired the last seven Indians he faced...that coupled with the bullpen work of Scott Alexander, Joakim Soria and Kelvin Herrera gave KC pitching a stretch of 15 consecutive hitters retired before a 2-out double by Encarnacion off of Herrera in the ninth. GORDON ASSUMES TEAM BRUISE RECORD--When Derek Holland plunked Alex Gordon with a pitch in the seventh inning on Thursday, it was the 79th time that Gordo has taken one for the team to establish a club record...he officially has one more bruise from a pitch than Mike Macfarlane (78) accrued during his KC career that ran from and Gordon s four HBP s this year are currently second in the A.L. to a familiar face, Jarrod Dyson, who has been hit five times already...gordo has had double-digit bruise seasons of 14 (2015), 13 (his rookie year of 07) and 11 (2014) and his 79 career HBP s rank tied with Ian Kinsler for 14th among all active players, one behind Pittsburgh s Starling Marte (80)...the current active leader is Chase Utley with 190. A WIN IN THE CENTRAL--Last night was just KC s third victory in 13 tries within the A.L. Central, which is a far cry from where the Royals were a season ago... last night snapped an 8-game slide the Royals had vs. Cleveland, but this year KC has scuffled against a couple of clubs they had great success against in 2016, starting out 2-5 overall against the ChiSox and 0-5 against the Twins, a reverse of last year when Kansas City went 14-5 and 15-4, respectively...last year, the Royals compiled a ledger within the Central...meanwhile as for 17, Kansas City is 1-0 vs. Cleveland, has gone 3-0 against the Angels, 2-1 vs. the Astros, 1-2 vs. Oakland, 1-1 vs. San Francisco and 0-4 against the Rangers to get to this start to the year. DUPE BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN--Just a day after a somewhat controversial replay challenge from Thursday, replay specialist Bill Duplissea got back in the win column last night when he determined that Roberto Perez did in fact come off the bag during a steal attempt in the third inning...duper is now 7-for-8 on the season in challenges...dupe closed 2016 as the best in baseball at his craft with a 69.2% success rate, making good of 27 of 39 challenges, with the Mets next at 67.7% (21-for-31). CLUTCH KNOCKS STILL M.I.A.--The Royals plated three runs last night, but went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, keeping their Major League low average at.189 (33-for-175) in RISP situations...by scoring three runs in the victory, KC enters today with 81 runs scored in 28 games, a 2.9 average, both MLB lows as well...the start to 2017 has been unchartered territory for the Royals, who finished fourth in the A.L. last year with a.273 mark with runners in scoring position, after being second in the loop in both 2015 (.281) and 2014 (.271). STILL AMONG THE LEATHER ELITE--Kansas City played errorless ball last night and remain tied with the Miami Marlins with the second fewest errors in the Majors with nine, one more than big league leading Minnesota...Kansas City made just one error in its first 15 games, but has since been guilty of eight in the last 13 contests, yet is still near the top of the defensive charts...kc s.991 fielding percentage is second to the Twins for the big league defensive lead. TRAVEL MADE EASY--Kansas City s first trip out of the Central time zone will begin on Monday when the Royals travel to St. Pete for a 4-game set in The Trop... for the first time in team history the Royals are playing their first 30 games within the Central time zone...the stretch includes 17 games in The K and two road trips through Minneapolis, Houston, Arlington and Chicago totaling 13 contests...after this 4-game stop against the Rays, KC will have nine more in the Central zone with six at home vs. the Orioles and Yankees, then three in Minnesota for a total of 39 of first 43 in the Central time zone. DUFF S STRIKEOUTS FOR BANDAGES--For every strikeout that he records in 2017, Danny Duffy will donate $500 to Noah s Bandage Project, a local foundation that provides fun bandages to kids and raises money for pediatric cancer research...he fanned three White Sox on Tuesday night to bring his season total through six starts to 27, putting Duff on the hook for $13,500 Danny recorded 188 strikeouts in 2016, the most by a left-handed pitcher in KC history, Bill Butler s 156 K s in AT THE HELM--The winningest manager in franchise history, Ned Yost is now in his seventh full season with the club, taking the reins on May 13, he enters today nine games under.500 with the Royals at during the regular season, the win total shattering Whitey Herzog s previous team mark of 410 wins ( )...Yost is the 16th full-time manager in franchise history and is seventh among active managers is games (2,086) and wins (1,016)...his postseason record of 22-9 represents a.710 winning pct., which is tops among all managers who have been at the helm for at least 20 postseason games...this is his second stint as a big league manager after nearly six full campaigns at the helm for the Milwaukee Brewers ( )...he compiled a record with the Brew Crew including a mark in his last two seasons...yost, a catcher during his playing days, began his coaching career in the Atlanta organization, including 12 straight seasons on Bobby Cox s big league staff ( ). YEAR #49 AT THE MIC--The 2007 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award, Denny Matthews was in the broadcast booth on April 8, 1969 when Joe Keough delivered a 12th inning single to give Kansas City a win in the first game in franchise history against Minnesota and the veteran announcer is back in the booth for his 49th season behind the microphone...ryan Lefebvre, who is once again working both the TV and radio side this year, is in his 19th season with the Royals...Steve Physioc is in his sixth season in the broadcast booth for the Royals and Steve Stewart will anchor the pre and post-game as well as in-game updates all season, while also providing the play-by-play call on many occasions, his 10th season with KC...Don Free controls the dials for a 32nd and final season as the producer/engineer. vs. Indians (2017) vs. Indians (career) At Home (career) Tomlin (career) TBA Player AVG AB H HR RBI AVG AB H HR RBI AVG AB H HR RBI AVG AB H HR RBI AVG AB H HR RBI Bonifacio Butera Cain Colon Cuthbert Escobar Gordon Hosmer Merrifield Moss Moustakas Perez Soler Starting Pitchers Breakdown Total KC Avg. Runs Team Quality Pitcher GS Runs Per Start Record Starts Danny Duffy Jason Hammel Nate Karns Ian Kennedy Jason Vargas Totals Catcher/Pitcher Matchups (Team Record w/starters) Pitcher Butera Perez Totals Duffy Hammel Karns Kennedy Vargas Total Butera Perez Totals Starts CS/ATT 0/3 3/18 3/21 Pct ERA ER/IP 23/ / /251.0 Team Pitcher Pickoffs: - Pickoff & CS: 3 (Last: TEX)

5 2017 Royals Home Runs vs. on Runners On Outs Tied Gave Direction Team Last Home Run AB s Players Total LHP RHP Home Road Game Lead LF LC CF RC RF Record Date Opp. Pitcher Since Bonifacio /1/17 CWS D. Covey 16 Butera MIN K. Gibson 47 Cain /30/17 MIN P. Hughes 17 Colón /15/16 OAK D. Overton 23 Cuthbert HOU D. Keuchel 31 Escobar CLE S. Clevinger 134 Gordon DET M. Pelfrey 120 Hosmer /5/17 CLE D. Salazar 1 Merrifield /30/17 MIN B. Kintzler 14 Moss /28/17 MIN B. Boshears 14 Moustakas CWS C. Beck 30 Perez /28/17 MIN K. Gibson 25 Soler /15/16 MIL J. Nelson 10 Pinch-Hit: Last: Erik Kratz Minnesota, seventh inning) - Franchise total: 76 Grand Slam: Last: Alex Gordon (8/18/16 vs. Minnesota, fourth inning) - Franchise total: 122 Pinch-Hit Grand Slam: Last: Shane Mack Texas, seventh inning) 2-Homer Game: Last: Kendrys Morales Minnesota, 2-run off Ervin Santana, 3-run off Pat Light) 3-Homer Game: Last: Lorenzo Cain N.Y. Yankees, solo, 3-run, solo) - Franchise total: 9 Back-to-Back: Last: Mike Moustakas and Jorge Bonifacio (4/23/17 at Texas, third inning off Yu Darvish) - twice in 2017 Back-to-Back-to-Back: Last: Tony Graffanino, Angel Berroa, Doug Mientkiewicz (5/25/06 vs. Detroit, first inning) Three Home Runs, One Inning: Last: Melky Cabrera, Eric Hosmer and Brayan Pena Texas, 14th inning) Four Home Runs, One Inning: Last: Mike Sweeney, Jermaine Dye, Raul Ibanez and Carlos Beltran Cleveland, fourth inning) Leadoff Game: Last: Alex Gordon Cleveland) - Franchise total: 91 Inside-the-Park: Last: Jarrod Dyson (7/8/15 vs. Tampa Bay) - Franchise total: 96 Both Sides of the Plate in One Game: Last: Kendrys Morales Philadelphia, 3-run, solo) - Franchise total: 8 Home Run by Pitcher: Last: Zack Greinke Arizona) Walk-off Home Run: Last: Kendrys Morales (5/15/16 vs. Atlanta, 13th inning, Grilli pitching) - Franchise total: 67 Opponent: Pinch-Hit: Last: Chris Denorfia, Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field, off Miguel Almonte, 11th inning) Grand Slam: Last: Victor Martinez Comerica Park off Edinson Volquez, 3rd inning) Pinch-Hit Grand Slam: Last: Darryl Strawberry, New York Kauffman Stadium, Scott Service pitching, 9th inning) Back-to-Back: Last: Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez, Boston Fenway Park, Danny Duffy pitching, 5th inning) Leadoff Game: Last: George Springer, Houston Minute Maid Park, Nate Karns pitching) Inside-the-Park: Last: Logan Forsythe, Tampa Bay Kauffman Stadium, Jeremy Guthrie pitching, 4th inning) Walk-off Home Run: Last: Mitch Moreland, Texas Globe Life Park, Brad Pounders pitching, 9th inning) Three Home Runs, One Inning: Last: Ezequiel Carrera, Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki, Toronto Rogers Centre, Chris Young pitching, 3rd inning) Four Home Runs, One Inning: Last: Alex Rios, Carlos Quentin, Andruw Jones, Dayan Viciedo, Chicago U.S. Cellular, Anthony Lerew pitching, 3rd inning) Three Home Runs, One Player: Last: Brian Dozier, Minnesota Target Field, Ian Kennedy-2, Brooks Pounders-1) Both Sides of the Plate in One Game: Last: Victor Martienz, Detroit Kauffman Stadium, Danny Duffy and Chien-Ming Wang pitching) 2017 Single-Game Bests Multi-Hit Games Multi-RBI Games RBI Hitting Streaks Hits Players Total Total Tying Go-Ahead 2-out Current Long (3+) Infield Bunt Bonifacio g 5 g (4/25-5/1) 1 - Butera g Cain g 5 g (2x) 6 - Colón g 3 g (4/25-pres) 1 - Cuthbert g Escobar g 4 g (4/30-5/3) 1 - Gordon g 3 g (5x) 3 1 Hosmer g 9 g (4/25-pres) 2 1 Merrifield g 5 g (4/26-5/3) - - Moss g 3 g (2x) - - Moustakas g 11 g (4/12-25) 2 - Perez g 8 g (4/6-14) - - Soler The Last Time... No-Hitter by the Royals: Bret Saberhagen, August 26, 1991 vs. Chicago (Royals 7-0) No-Hitter vs. Royals: Jon Lester, May 19, Boston in Fenway Park (Red Sox 7-0) One-Hitter by the Royals (complete game): Zack Greinke, August 30, 2009 at Seattle (Royals 3-0) One-Hitter vs. Royals (complete game): Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland, September 25, 2015 at Kauffman Stadium (Indians 6-0) Two-Hitter by the Royals (complete game): James Shields, April 13, 2013 vs. Toronto (Blue Jays 3-2) Two-Hitter vs. Royals (complete game): Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay, June 3, 2009 at Tropicana Field (Rays, 9-0) Back-to-Back Complete Game Wins by the Royals: Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke, April 13-14, 2008 vs. Minnesota (5-1) and at Seattle (5-1) Back-to-Back Shutouts by the Royals: May 17 & 19, 2015 vs. New York (6-0) and vs. Cincinnati (3-0) Back-to-Back Shutouts vs. Royals: April 29-30, 2016 at Seattle (1-0 and 6-0) Three Straight Shutouts vs. Royals: July 5-7, 2004 at Minnesota (9-0, 4-0, 12-0) 10+ Innings Pitched by a Royals starter: Kevin Appier, July 23, 1992 at Cleveland (10.0) 10+ Strikeouts by a Royals starter: Ian Kennedy (10), April 16, 2017 vs. Los Angeles Angels Shutout by the Royals (Complete Game): Johnny Cueto, August 10, 2015 vs. Detroit (4-0) Shutout by the Royals (Combined): April 19, 2017 vs. San Francisco (2-0), Vargas (7.0), Soria (1.0), Herrera (1.0) Triple Play by the Royals: June 11, 2006 vs. Tampa Bay (DeJesus-Elarton- Berroa-Teahen with Branyan batting, 2nd inning) Triple Play vs. Royals: April 20, 2012 vs. Toronto at Kauffman Stadium, (3-6, Hosmer batting, 3rd inning) Royal hit for the cycle: George Brett, July 25, Toronto Opponent hit for the cycle: Jeff DaVanon, Anaheim, August 25, 2004 at Angel Stadium Royal Five-Hit Game: Salvador Perez, May 23, Minnesota (5-for-5) Royal Six-Hit Game: Joe Randa, Sept. 9, 2004 at Detroit-Game 1 (6-for-7) Royals Two Hits, One Inning: Kendrys Morales, August 28, Boston (6th) Royals Five-RBI Game: Kendrys Morales, September 6, Minnesota Royals Six-RBI Game: Alex Gordon, May 18, 2014 vs. Baltimore Royals Seven-RBI Game: (13 times) - last: Omar Infante, Sept. 17, Cleveland Royals Nine-RBI Game: Mike Moustakas, September 12, Baltimore Royals Position Player Pitching: Drew Butera, July 26, 2016 vs. Los Angeles Angels Opponent Position Player Pitching: A.L.: Andrew Romine, Detroit, June 18, 2016 at Kauffman Stadium; N.L.: D Angelo Jimenez, San Diego, June 30, 2002 at Kauffman Stadium Royals Pitcher Homered: Zack Greinke, June 10, Arizona Royals Pitcher With a Hit: Danny Duffy, July 2, Philadelphia Royals Pitcher With a RBI: Danny Duffy, July 2, Philadelphia Royals Three or more Steals, One Game: Lorenzo Cain (3), June 20, 2015 vs. Boston Opponent Three or more Steals, One Game: Jose Reyes, Toronto, July 11, 2014 at KC (3 SB) Royals Steal of Home: Alex Rios, vs. Pittsburgh, July 20, 2015 (4th inning) Opponent Steal of Home: Brett Lawrie, Toronto, April 22, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium (8th inning) - on double steal Royals Suspended Game: April 24, Chicago White Sox (Rain) Royals Home Run in first ML at bat: Jon Nunnally, April 29, 1995 vs. New York (Melido Perez pitching, 1st inning) Royals Home Run in 4 Consecutive Games: Salvador Perez, April 6-9, 2017 Royals 0-0 Game After 9 innings: April 20, 2017 at Texas (lost 1-0 in 13 innings) Royals Walk-Off Win: April 16, 2017 vs. Los Angeles Angels (1-0 in 9 innings) Royals Bat Around: April 8, Houston (8th inning, 6 runs) (Once in 2017) Three-game sweep by Royals at Kauffman Stadium: April 14-16, 2017 vs. Los Angeles Angels Three-game sweep by Royals on the road: August 15-17, Detroit Four-game sweep by Royals at Kauffman Stadium: August 18-21, 2016 vs. Minnesota Four-game sweep by Royals on the road: May 7-10, Minnesota Three-game sweep by opposition at Kauffman Stadium: September 4-6, 2015 vs. Chicago White Sox Three-game sweep by opposition on the road: April 24-26, Chicago White Sox Four-game sweep by opposition at Kauffman Stadium: September 12-15, 2016 vs. Oakland Four-game sweep by opposition on the road: April 20-23, Texas Player Streak Last Error ROYALS 1 5/4/17 vs. CWS Pitchers 2 5/3/17 vs. CWS Bonifacio 6 4/28/17 vs. MIN Butera 13 DET Cain 64 6/17/16 vs. DET Colón 9 9/15/16 vs. OAK Cuthbert 4 TEX Escobar 19 4/13/17 vs. OAK Errorless Streaks Player Streak Last Error Gordon 42 9/14/16 vs. OAK Hosmer 70 MIN Merrifield 14 10/1/16 vs. CLE Moss 23 PIT Moustakas 1 5/4/17 vs. CWS Perez 48 MIA Soler 39 CIN