Words With Friend

Company

As I mentioned yesterday, a dear friend is in town for a visit, so the blog entry for today will be brief. My friend and I have a lot of catching up to do, some very unhealthy food to eat (bacon will figure prominently), and a ballgame to go to tonight (we're going to see the Omaha Storm Chasers game at Werner Park, and watch Alex Gordon on his rehab assignment--he's been tearing it up so far).

"He'll be back playing for the Royals soon, won't he?"

Yes. I'm guessing they'll bring him back for the start of the homestand that begins next Tuesday...

Things That Make Me Happy: Road Trip Edition

My beloved Kansas City Royals are in St. Petersburg, Florida for a quick three-game series at Tropicana Field with the Tampa Bay Rays. Last night the Royals took Game 1, prevailing 3-2 in a generally well-pitched game.

The big blow for the Royals was a two-run home run by DH Kendrys Morales. The ball actually stuck off the catwalk (click the link above for a look), and the stadium's ground rules came into play.

"Boom!"

Edinson Volquez pitched effectively into the 7th inning and is now 12-7 with a 3.27 ERA. The bullpen only allowed one baserunner over the final two and a third innings, and Greg Holland recorded his 29th save.

Game 2 of the series is tonight, with Kris Medlen (2-0, 3.10) getting his second start of the season. He'll be matched up against former Royal Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 3.02) for the Rays.

Engineer Syllogism

From the delightful webcomic xkcd, drawn by Randall Munroe, which you should read every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, as I do.

Until Next Time...

One of the great joys of my relationship with my visiting friend is our conversations about baseball (even though he roots for the Philadelphia Phillies, a National League team). We see eye-to-eye on most issues relative to the game, and I think he might be even more excited about the Royals' success these past couple of seasons than I am. I am delighted beyond measure to be able to actually go to a game with him, even if it is minor league ball.

Today's send-off is pianist Jacqueline Schwab's instrumental rendition of the baseball favorite "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The song was written in 1908 by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer (neither of whom had ever actually been to see a baseball game). It was featured in the Ken Burns miniseries Baseball in 1994. Enjoy...