GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: KANSAS CITY (52-66) at TEXAS (52-66)

AL: KANSAS CITY (52-66) at TEXAS (52-66)

<h3>Red-hot Young, Rangers host Royals</h3>

Kansas City (52-66) at Texas (52-66) 8:35 pm EDT


ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Michael Young hopes his hot batwill keep the Texas Rangers rolling when they host the KansasCity Royals on Wednesday.


Young is currently on a nine-game hitting streak, going13-for-32 (.406) with three home runs and six RBI in that span.The 30-year-old shortstop has posted a .307 batting averagewith seven homers and 64 RBI this season.


The Royals will send Gil Meche (7-10, 3.95 ERA) to the mound inhopes of shutting down Young and the rest of the Rangers'offense. The 28-year-old Meche has lost each of his last fourstarts, surrendering 15 runs over 23 2/3 innings during thatstretch.


Meche will be opposed by Vicente Padilla (3-8, 6.69), who willmake his first start since June 21 after going on the disabledlist with an injured elbow.


The Nicaraguan righthander was tagged for four runs and 10 hitsover just four innings in his last outing, a 6-5 triumph overthe Chicago Cubs.


The Rangers have won four of their last six contests, includinga 5-3 victory in Tuesday's series opener.


Young had two hits - including a homer - while Kevin Millwoodtossed seven strong innings to record the win for Texas, whichwas swept in a three-game series in Kansas City late last month.

Mark Grudzielanek and rookie Billy Butler each had two hitsTuesday for the Royals, who have lost nine of their last 14contests.

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY AT TEXAS -- LINEUPS

KANSAS CITY TEXAS
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
David Dejesus CF .275 6 49 Frank Catalanotto LF .251 8 34
Mark Grudzielanek 2B .302 5 38 Ian Kinsler 2B .252 14 41
Mark Teahen RF .289 6 50 Michael Young SS .307 7 64
Billy Butler DH .302 4 34 Marlon Byrd CF .319 4 43
Ross Gload 1B .286 4 39 Jason Botts DH .244 1 5
Alex Gordon 3B .242 10 40 Nelson Cruz RF .209 6 22
John Buck C .227 16 39 Gerald Laird C .235 7 38
Joey Gathright LF .343 0 12 Jarrod Saltalamacc 1B .167 0 3
Tony Pena Jr SS .272 1 38 Ramon Vazquez 3B .238 5 17

Gil Meche RHP (7-10, 3.95) Vicente Padilla RHP (3-8, 6.69)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS
WARMUPS: KAN - GIL MECHE (7-10, 3.95)
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA (3-8, 6.69)

UMPIRES: HP - JOHN HIRSCHBECK
1B - WALLY BELL
2B - LAZ DIAZ
3B - BILL WELKE

WEATHER: 99 Degrees, clear
WIND: 9 mph, in from left</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS
STARTING BATS: KAN - GIL MECHE AND JOHN BUCK
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA AND GERALD LAIRD

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: D DEJESUS (.275, 6 HR, 49 RBI)
M GRUDZIELA (.302, 5 HR, 38 RBI)
M TEAHEN (.289, 6 HR, 50 RBI)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: F CATALANOTTO (.251, 8 HR, 34 RBI)
I KINSLER (.252, 14 HR, 41 RBI)
M YOUNG (.307, 7 HR, 64 RBI)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS TEXAS (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .274
M Grudzielanek 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
M Teahen rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
B Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .302
R Gload 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
A Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Gathright lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .343
T Pena Jr ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 3 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .251
I Kinsler 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .252
M Young ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .307
M Byrd cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
J Botts dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .209
G Laird c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 0 -- 0
TEXAS - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.95

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 6.61

Pitches-strikes: V Padilla 18-12. Ground balls-fly balls: V Padilla 0-0.
Batters faced: V Padilla 3.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS
CONFIRMED STARTERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: B BUTLER (.302, 4 HR, 34 RBI)
R GLOAD (.286, 4 HR, 39 RBI)
A GORDON (.242, 10 HR, 40 RBI)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS TEXAS (0) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .274
M Grudzielanek 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
M Teahen rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
B Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .302
R Gload 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
A Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Gathright lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .343
T Pena Jr ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 3 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
I Kinsler 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .251
M Young ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
M Byrd cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
J Botts dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .209
G Laird c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 0 -- 0
TEXAS - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.92

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 6.61

Pitches-strikes: G Meche 17-12; V Padilla 18-12. Ground balls-fly balls: G
Meche 1-1; V Padilla 0-0. Batters faced: G Meche 3; V Padilla 3.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 1 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: M BYRD (.319, 4 HR, 43 RBI)
J BOTTS (.244, 1 HR, 5 RBI)
N CRUZ (.209, 6 HR, 22 RBI)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS TEXAS (0) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .274
M Grudzielanek 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
M Teahen rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
B Butler dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
R Gload 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Gordon 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241
J Buck c 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227
J Gathright lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .343
T Pena Jr ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272

Totals 7 0 1 0 0 4 2

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
I Kinsler 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .251
M Young ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
M Byrd cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
J Botts dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
N Cruz rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .209
G Laird c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 00 -- 0
TEXAS - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.92

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 2 1 0 0 0 4 0 6.53

Pitches-strikes: G Meche 17-12; V Padilla 37-26. Ground balls-fly balls: G
Meche 1-1; V Padilla 1-1. Batters faced: G Meche 3; V Padilla 7.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 1 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 1 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: J GATHRIGHT (.343, 0 HR, 12 RBI)
T PENA JR (.272, 1 HR, 38 RBI)
D DEJESUS (.274, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS TEXAS (0) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .274
M Grudzielanek 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .301
M Teahen rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
B Butler dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
R Gload 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Gordon 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241
J Buck c 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227
J Gathright lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .343
T Pena Jr ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272

Totals 7 0 1 0 0 4 2

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
I Kinsler 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .251
M Young ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
M Byrd cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318
J Botts dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
N Cruz rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .213
G Laird c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238

Totals 7 0 1 0 0 2 1

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 00 -- 0
TEXAS - 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.90

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 2 1 0 0 0 4 0 6.53

Pitches-strikes: G Meche 37-24; V Padilla 37-26. Ground balls-fly balls: G
Meche 2-2; V Padilla 1-1. Batters faced: G Meche 7; V Padilla 7.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL AT TEXAS - SCORING UPDATE
ERROR BY GERALD LAIRD ALLOWED DAVID DEJESUS TO SCORE. .
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1
TEXAS 0 TOP, 3RD

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M GRUDZIELANEK (.301, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 1 3 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 1 1 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: J SALTALAMACCHIA (.167, 0 HR, 3 RBI)
R VAZQUEZ (.238, 5 HR, 17 RBI)
F CATALANOTTO (.250, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (1) VS TEXAS (0) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 .276
M Grudzielanek 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .300
M Teahen rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
B Butler dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
R Gload 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Gordon 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241
J Buck c 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227
J Gathright lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .339
T Pena Jr ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .273

Totals 11 1 3 0 0 4 3

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
I Kinsler 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .251
M Young ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
M Byrd cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318
J Botts dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
N Cruz rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .213
G Laird c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .238

Totals 7 0 1 0 0 2 1

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: E - G Laird (9, throw). Outfield assists - N Cruz (T Pena Jr at
Home).


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 001 -- 1
TEXAS - 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.90

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 3 3 1 1 0 4 0 6.56

Pitches-strikes: G Meche 37-24; V Padilla 47-35. Ground balls-fly balls: G
Meche 2-2; V Padilla 3-1. Batters faced: G Meche 7; V Padilla 11.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 1 3 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 0 1 1 (TOP 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M TEAHEN (.288, 0-FOR-1)
B BUTLER (.300, 0-FOR-1)
R GLOAD (.289, 1-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (1) VS TEXAS (0) - END 3RD - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 .276
M Grudzielanek 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .300
M Teahen rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
B Butler dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
R Gload 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Gordon 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241
J Buck c 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227
J Gathright lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .339
T Pena Jr ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .273

Totals 11 1 3 0 0 4 3

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (G Meche-T Pena Jr-R Gload).


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .249
I Kinsler 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .251
M Young ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
M Byrd cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318
J Botts dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
N Cruz rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .213
G Laird c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237

Totals 9 0 1 0 1 3 2

BATTING: GIDP - R Vazquez. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: E - G Laird (9, throw). Outfield assists - N Cruz (T Pena Jr at
Home).


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 001 -- 1
TEXAS - 000 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 3 1 0 0 1 3 0 3.87

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 3 3 1 1 0 4 0 6.56

Pitches-strikes: G Meche 47-30; V Padilla 47-35. Ground balls-fly balls: G
Meche 4-2; V Padilla 3-1. Batters faced: G Meche 10; V Padilla 11.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 0 1 3 0
TEXAS 0 0 0 0 1 1 (BOT 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - GIL MECHE
TEX - VICENTE PADILLA

DUE UP FOR TEXAS: I KINSLER (.251, 0-FOR-1)
M YOUNG (.306, 0-FOR-1)
M BYRD (.318, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at TEXAS

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (1) VS TEXAS (0) - MID 4TH - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 .276
M Grudzielanek 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .300
M Teahen rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .287
B Butler dh 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .298
R Gload 1b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .288
A Gordon 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241
J Buck c 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227
J Gathright lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .339
T Pena Jr ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .273

Totals 14 1 3 0 0 5 3

BATTING: Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (G Meche-T Pena Jr-R Gload).


TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
F Catalanotto lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .249
I Kinsler 2b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .251
M Young ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
M Byrd cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .318
J Botts dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
N Cruz rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .213
G Laird c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .235
J Saltalamacchia 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .167
R Vazquez 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237

Totals 9 0 1 0 1 3 2

BATTING: GIDP - R Vazquez. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: E - G Laird (9, throw). Outfield assists - N Cruz (T Pena Jr at
Home).


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 001 0 -- 1
TEXAS - 000 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
G Meche 3 1 0 0 1 3 0 3.87

TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era
V Padilla 4 3 1 0 0 5 0 6.38

Pitches-strikes: G Meche 47-30; V Padilla 63-44. Ground balls-fly balls: G
Meche 4-2; V Padilla 5-1. Batters faced: G Meche 10; V Padilla 14.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: 97 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, in from left.</div>