05/09/2008 -
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -Royals manager Trey Hillman shook up his batting order again Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Hillman dropped Mark Grudzielanek, who had batted only in the second slot, to fifth and Mark Teahen took over the second spot. Miguel Olivo, who was tied for the club lead with four home runs in limited action, batted cleanup for the first time this year. It was only the second time in his career he has batted fourth.
Alberto Callaspo, who was hitting .318 in 17 games, replaced Tony Pena Jr., who has a .167 average, at shortstop.
The Royals entered the game ranked last in the American League with 120 runs and a .355 slugging percentage, and next-to-last with a .307 on-base percentage, 18 home runs and 407 total bases. The Royals scored four or fewer runs in 23 of their first 34 games, and two or less in 13 games.
``We're lacking a consistency of run production,'' Hillman said. ``I've changed a lot of slots. I'm just going to change it up and see where it sits. We've got to do something. I'm going to keep massaging it and keep changing it until hopefully we can get some consistency.''
The Royals have received minimal production from the No. 3 and cleanup slots. In the first 34 games, the Royals No. 3 hitters were batting .218 with four home runs and 12 RBIs, with 36 strikeouts and 16 walks. The cleanup hitters were hitting a combined .187 with three home runs and 19 RBIs.
Jose Guillen, who signed a $36 million, three-year contract with the Royals during the offseason to beef up the middle of the lineup, was hitting .159 in the cleanup slot and has been dropped to sixth.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Biffle sets record in winning pole at Darlington
Darlington, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Greg Biffle won the pole for Saturday
night's Dodge Challenger 500 at the Darlington Raceway. The No.16 Roush Fenway
Racing Ford driver circled the newly-paved "Lady in Black" in a record-setting
27.405
<< Phillies activate Rollins from DL
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies activated
reigning National League MVP Jimmy Rollins from the 15-day disabled list on
Friday.
The switch-hitting shortstop will bat in his familiar leadoff position in
<< Mets activate Castro from DL
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets activated catcher Ramon
Castro from the 15-day disabled list Friday.
The 32-year-old Castro was placed on the DL on March 30th, retroactive to
March 21st, with a right hamstring inj
<< Timonen rejoins Flyers, resigned to not playing
PITTSBURGH (AP) -Kimmo Timonen wasn't in the Philadelphia Flyers' lineup Friday night, sidelined by a blood clot on his left ankle that is all but certain to keep him out the rest of the playoffs. It didn't keep him out of their dressing room.Timone
Angels' Aybar leaves game >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Angels infielder Erick Aybar had to
leave Friday night's contest with the Tampa Bay Rays after taking a James
Shields pitch off his glove hand.
Aybar led off the fourth offering bunt and took a Shields
Battier and Alston have surgery >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier and
guard Rafer Alston each had surgery on Friday.
Battier underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle.
Alston's procedure involved repairi
Reds/Mets postponed by rain >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Friday's game between the Cincinnati Reds
and New York Mets was postponed due to rain.
The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, with
the start times at 1:10 p.m. (et) and 7:
Sorenstam on top in Williamsburg, Ochoa three back >>
Williamsburg, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 2 Annika Sorenstam fired a five-
under 66 Friday to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Michelob
ULTRA Open at Kingsmill.
Sorenstam completed 36 holes at 12-under-par 130, whic
Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.
The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.
MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.
A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.
A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.
Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
LaDainian Tomlinson Favorite to be 2007 NFL MVP
With the first NFL preseason game less than two weeks away, it is time to start thinking about football once again at Sportsbook.com. Reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is currently the 5-1 co-favorite to win the award again alongside Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone after his all out assault on the record books last season. For those suffering from amnesia or were under a rock last football season, all L.T. did last season was set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (31) and total points scored (186) to go along with his 1815 rushing yards and 508 receiving yards. At 6-1, Tom Brady is next in line which isn’t surprising considering all of the firepower the Pats added over the off-season. With the addition of Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker; it would be quite difficult for Brady’s numbers not to improve from last years 3529 yards and 24 touchdowns. There appears to be some decent value in Drew Bees at 10-1 considering he probably would have won the award last year if it wasn’t for L.T.’s record breaking season.
There is no reason to think the Saints will come back to earth this season and playing in a weak NFC, they should have as good a shot as any to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. At 15-1, Donovan McNabb could also be worth a look. Remember, many felt he was the MVP of the first half of the season before going down with a season ending injury. Reportedly, he is in great shape and well ahead of schedule to return to form. Also, he could have some added motivation to put up big numbers this season with the Eagles using their first pick in the draft on McNabb’s future successor Kevin Kolb.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to check out the complete odds for NFL MVP as well as all of the new football related futures. With the popularity of NFL futures, these betting lines will be sure to change as the money comes in; get the early sports lines now.
MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction.
MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football gambling needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Sports Betting News: Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting