Royals Rumblings - News for June 17, 2024

MJ with grand salami.

Seth Lugo became the first American League pitcher to reach 10 wins, the first time he has reached that mark as a big leaguer.

“It feels great,” Lugo said. “You know, I never got to 10 in the big leagues or the minors. So getting to 10 was really cool. I was waiting for that one.”

MJ Melendez had an epic 12-pitch at-bat before hitting a grand slam on Saturday.

During a 12-pitch at-bat, Melendez fouled off a steady diet of cutters. It was clear the Dodgers wanted him to chase at the top of the zone. According to Statcast, Melendez has registered a 47% whiff rate against right-handers atop the zone.

“I know a lot of teams are going to try to pitch me there,” Melendez said. “It was one of two things: either just being able to foul it off with two strikes, if I do swing at it, or just laying off of it.”

Anne Rogers has more on what Melendez was looking for.

“I just really wanted to stay with the same exact plan,” Melendez said. “I’m fine with fouling off pitches — the more I foul off, the better. It’s going to get him out. And we’ve got a righty behind me, which then their lefty [Anthony Banda] has to face. The more pitches I see is better for the team.”

Pitch No. 11 was a cutter back at the top, a ball.

“He changed my sights there, so in the moment, maybe [the slider] might have helped me lay off that cutter,” Melendez said. “I was in swing mode a lot.”

Brady Singer would like to have those pitches back that Shohei Ohtani homered on.

“I’m obviously trying to get it (two sliders) down,” Singer said of his pitch selection. “I figured Ohtani would be swinging right there. So, you know, just trying to bury that slider and also trying to get them to go after it. ... I was trying to get it more under the zone and left it up a little bit.”

Salvy missed a game Saturday after tweaking his knee, but returned to the lineup Sunday.

He told the coaching staff that he felt good enough to hit, and the hope is that Perez is back catching in a few days — maybe after Monday’s off-day — but the team will see how he progresses after his at-bats Sunday.

“I think being able to DH him, that’s what made it an easy decision,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “He’s not somebody that relies on legging out doubles and stealing bases, so he said he feels good to hit, and we’re happy to have him in the lineup.”

The Royals brought up Austin Nola and sent down Anthony Veneziano.

Michael Wacha will make a rehab start today and could rejoin the team this weekend.

Rogers writes about how the Royals got through one of the toughest parts of their schedule.

The Royals finished 5-7 over those 12 games. Two of them were clunkers against the Yankees, when the Royals were outscored 21-6. But eight of the 12 games were decided by three runs or fewer.

“You let it marinate a little bit, and what were we — 5-7 through this stretch?” Pasquantino said. “... Obviously we’d like to have a winning record, but I think we showed we can compete. There were two games we got our [butt] kicked by the Yankees. We played Seattle and Cleveland tough. [The Dodgers] are really good, too. I think it shows this team’s got fight. We’re never out of a game.

She also writes that Kyle Isbel got to play in front of his parents in southern California for both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Jaylon Thompson writes about the lessons Royals players learned from their fathers.

Royals Weekly writes about the upcoming easier schedule.

Mookie Betts fractured his hand after getting hit by a pitch from Dan Altavilla.

Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco is pulled after seven no-hit innings in his bid for a second no-hitter this year.

Former Mariners infielder Mike Brumley dies in a car crash.

A week in the life of the Dodgers’ Japanese press corps.

What to know about the 2024 MLB Draft Combine.

Manager Ron Washington is trying to stay upbeat despite a losing Angels season.

The Cubs designate former Royals reliever Jose Cuas for assignment.

The Pirates will take a low-cost approach to try to upgrade their bullpen.

Snoop Dogg was amazed by Elly de la Cruz.

Diamond Sports Group asks for an emergency hearing in bankruptcy court.

A profile of Pete Palmer, whose book Total Baseball was a haven for baseball stat geeks.

Some Texas A&M hecklers get ejected from the College World Series for jeers about the death of a bat boy.

Bryson DeChambeau wins the U.S. Open over Rory McIlroy with an amazing finish.

Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs is arrested for domestic violence and burglary.

Studies find that fathers may have some of the same nurturing biology as mothers.

What are the most expensive cities for American expats?

Are any of us watching the same TV shows anymore?

Your song of the day is Big Audio Dynamite with Rush.