http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/teams/kansas_city_royals/13 Recent articles about Kansas City Royals en-us A fan ran onto the field at Kauffman Stadium during the middle of the eighth inning in a game between the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals, providing some of the best excitement of the night. Angels reliever Michael Kohn had an 0-2 count on Alcides Escobar in the bottom of the eighth when a fan wearing a Royals jersey ran onto the field. The fan ran right behind the pitching mound, slid onto the dirt, snagged the rosin bag, got up, and scampered away. The dude had a police officer on his tail and managed to shake the cop with a surprise slide onto the mound. The unsuspecting cop tripped and ate it on the mound, allowing the fan to momentarily break free while waving around his prized souvenir. The guy was just absolutely playing to the crowd too. He was showboating and everything after flying through capture the flag style. Alas, the fan was eventually tackled and handcuffed by police, but not before taking them on a wild ride. Cop goes down as fan slides in for the bag... Thu, 23 May 2013 22:41:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/fan_runs_onto_field_at_royals_angels_game_steals_rosin_bag_makes_cop_eat_dirt_video/13683500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/fan_runs_onto_field_at_royals_angels_game_steals_rosin_bag_makes_cop_eat_dirt_video/13683500 Fan runs onto field at Royals-Angels game, steals rosin bag, makes cop eat dirt (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/fan_runs_onto_field_at_royals_angels_game_steals_rosin_bag_makes_cop_eat_dirt_video/13683500 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It’s a quarter of the way through the season, and May hasn’t been a good month for the Royals. Since May 1, the team is 7-12 and 21-22 for the season. In 11 of their 19 games, the Royals scored 3 runs or less with a 1-10 record in those games. They’ve suffered two three game losing streaks and a four game losing streak Since May 6. Besides Alex Gordon (.352), Lorenzo Cain (.298) and Salvador Perez (.308), the other regulars on the lineup are hitting .267 or less. Mike Moustakas has the lowest batting average of .176. As a team, the Royals are last in the American League in home runs (27) and walks (108). They’re next to last in the A.L. in at-bats (1,483) and total bases (573). They’re 13th in the A.L. with 184 runs. The bright side? Well, Royals batters have only 290 strikeouts, the least in the A.L. They’ve stolen 33 bases and caught stealing seven times. They’re second in the A.L. with 11 triples. They’re fourth in the A.L. with a .265 batting average, but are tenth in the A.L. ... Thu, 23 May 2013 10:11:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/no_offense_but_the_royals_offense_isnt_very_offensive/13678295 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/no_offense_but_the_royals_offense_isnt_very_offensive/13678295 No offense, but the Royals offense isn’t very offensive http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/no_offense_but_the_royals_offense_isnt_very_offensive/13678295 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png HOUSTON (AP) -- The Kansas City Royals ended their longest losing streak of the season with a late rally. Whether they can rally behind James Shields remains to be seen. Despite his outstanding pitching this season, Shields will be trying to avoid losing his third consecutive start Wednesday night against the Houston Astros. After dropping four straight one-run games, the Royals (21-21) scored all of their runs in the final three innings of a 7-3 victory Tuesday. The victory was just their fourth in 15 contests. "Give the Royals a lot of credit. They battled their at-bats and put balls in play and had some really good at-bats late in the game," manager Bo Porter told the Astros' official website. Kansas City has scored 15 runs in its last three contests, but has managed four runs in dropping Shields' past three starts. The right-hander has posted a 1.50 ERA in that stretch - pitching eight innings each time - and a 2.00 ERA over his past six, going 1-2. Shields gave up two runs and mat Wed, 22 May 2013 09:48:51 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/game_preview_shields_could_use_some_run_support/13670107 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/game_preview_shields_could_use_some_run_support/13670107 Game preview: Shields could use some run support http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/game_preview_shields_could_use_some_run_support/13670107 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/2/125a1285b1acf973c0013bd84b3d139ab0289275/mini/6843372.jpg The Kansas City Royals have an exciting young core of players.  One of the players that makes up that core is Salvador Perez.  Salvy - as he is affectionately called around the league - has proven to be one of the game's top young catchers.  Unfortunately, the Royals were without his services last night because of injury. Perez had to leave Monday night's game after banging into the fence behind home plate while trying to catch a foul ball.  The injury is not considered serious, but it's bad enough to keep him from starting for the time being. #Roayls C Salvy Perez has deep right hip bruise. Told he won't start tonight but is available if necessary. — Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) May 21, 2013 Perez did not come off the bench last night, but the Royals were able to put a four-spot on the board in the eighth against the Astros to ensure victory.  The team hopes to have Perez back for today's game, but he is listed as day-to-day and will likely be a gam... Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_salvy_perez_misses_tuesdays_game_with_bone_bruise/13669315 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_salvy_perez_misses_tuesdays_game_with_bone_bruise/13669315 Royals' Salvy Perez misses Tuesday's game with bone bruise http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_salvy_perez_misses_tuesdays_game_with_bone_bruise/13669315 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png by John Viril— Right now, the Kansas City Royals entire season is teetering on the brink. I know that many will say that is melodramatic. That it’s a long season, and they’re 121 games left. Nonsense. Year after year, fans have watched Kansas City run into an early losing streak that sucks the wind out of the entire season. Last season was the 12-game April losing streak that effectively ended the 2012 season before the first month was over. Every Royals team since 1997 has experienced a 7-game losing streak except the 2003 squad (Kansas City’s last over-.500 season since 1994). To put this in perspective, the New York Yankees have only experienced a 7-game losing streak ONCE since 1995 (2007). This season was supposed to be different. This season, solid starting pitching was supposed to prevent season-killing losing streaks. Then the Royals lost four consecutive 1-run games. Before the Royals rallied for four runs in the 8th on Tuesday night in their 7-3 victory over Houston, they ... Wed, 22 May 2013 03:43:52 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_at_the_crossroads/13668811 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_at_the_crossroads/13668811 Royals at the Crossroads http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_at_the_crossroads/13668811 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/e/6ee9db10abf45802e379dc3f8b4357481ab82bee/mini/6843370.jpg Well so much for the offensive revival.  After the Royals out-slugged the Angels to take two of three, they finish the week at 2-4 after getting swept by the A’s.  Nonetheless, there’s a silver lining in all of this.  The club still sits at .500 and a few Royals hitters are mashing up the month of May. Best of the Week:  Billy Butler What a difference a week makes.  Big Old Country Breakfast bounced back from last week’s worst to this weeks best including a celebratory 5-for-5, 5 RBI night against the Angels.  Butler hit safely in five of six games this week and .480 overall (12-for-25) with a homer and 10 RBI.  As a result, Butler’s average has risen 45 points from .228 to .273. He joins Alex Gordon, who deserves honorable mention this week, as the Royals two hottest hitters.  Gordon also hit .480 this week (12-for-25) and now has hit safely in 14 of 16 games in the month of May.  Gordon’s current .343 average ties him with Boston’s Dustin Pedroia for third in the American League.... Tue, 21 May 2013 17:39:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_weekly_rundown_a_ced_in_oakland_butlers_back/13665880 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_weekly_rundown_a_ced_in_oakland_butlers_back/13665880 Royals Weekly Rundown: A-ced in Oakland, Butler’s Back http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_weekly_rundown_a_ced_in_oakland_butlers_back/13665880 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/b/eb7a75b9e35bee9d544604e7410f4380d7f51c22/mini/6549408.jpg KANSAS CITY, Mo. We asked history. History shrugged. Actually, it shrugged, threw up its hands, grabbed a soda, and went back to playing Minecraft. History cant help us here. All we know is that we dont stinking know. Not after 40 games. Not where the Kansas City Royals are concerned. At the quarter-pole mark of the Big 162 40 games the Royals are 20-20. Theres some sound, a little fury, but in the big picture, it signifies pretty much nothing. Its like an episode of Seinfeld, only Rex Hudler is Cosmo Kramers new roommate, and hilarity ensues. For the men in blue, thats the quarter-pole mark, in a nutshell, over the past quarter century. First, the good news: Despite an antacid-inducing weekend in Oakland, this just the 11th time over the past 26 years that the Royals have posted a record of .500 or better after 40 games. Which is groovy. That is, of course, until you read the fine print. Of the previous 10 instances between 1988-2012, five of those quarter-pole starts eventually led to a season tha Mon, 20 May 2013 15:57:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/at_the_quarter_pole_history_says_with_the_royals_anything_is_still_possible/13657405 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/at_the_quarter_pole_history_says_with_the_royals_anything_is_still_possible/13657405 At the quarter-pole, history says with the Royals, anything is still possible http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/at_the_quarter_pole_history_says_with_the_royals_anything_is_still_possible/13657405 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MUST HOLD SERVE: After the painful sweep at the hands of the Oakland As over the weekend, the Royals find themselves back at .500, which might have sounded promising back in February considering how many horrible starts the Royals have had in April and May over the years. But there is obvious disappointment now because the team recently was 17-10 and riding high after a huge come-from-behind win over the White Sox on May 5. The Royals have lost 10 of 13 since, many in agonizing fashion. The cure may come over the next three days in Houston against an Astros team that resembles a mediocre Triple-A outfit. The Astros already have suffered through three six-game losing streaks this season and have dropped eight of their last 10. The importance of winning at least two of three from Houston is twofold: First, the Royals obviously need to salvage this road trip, which started so well in Anaheim, and second, the Royals need to hold serve against a Houston team that will be a tonic for every other team in the Ameri Mon, 20 May 2013 15:38:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_hope_trip_to_houston_is_the_tonic_they_need/13657291 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_hope_trip_to_houston_is_the_tonic_they_need/13657291 Royals hope trip to Houston is the tonic they need http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_hope_trip_to_houston_is_the_tonic_they_need/13657291 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It’s week three of the I70 Baseball Royals Power Rankings, as we basically reach the end of the first quarter of the season. This was an up and down week that ended at 2-4. There are many years that 2-4 in California wouldn’t sound that bad and neither would 20-20. #5 Billy Butler (Previously: NR) Butler finally broke loose with his best series of the season against the Angels. In the series Butler went 8/13 with a home run and 9 RBI. His contact numbers still aren’t on par with his standards but he’s now on pace for 20 home runs and 120 RBI. #4 Ervin Santana- (Previously: #5) Santana bounced back with an excellent outing against the A’s in what would be one of three wasted gems on the road trip. His control continues to be remarkable and his 1.46 BB/9Ip is fifth in the American League. #3 Jeremy Guthrie- (Previously: #2) Guthrie finally took the loss that we had been expecting and just doesn’t look quite as sharp as he did earlier in the season. A part of that is just the fact tha... Mon, 20 May 2013 10:16:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/kansas_city_royals_power_rankings_5_19/13654345 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/kansas_city_royals_power_rankings_5_19/13654345 Kansas City Royals Power Rankings 5-19 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/kansas_city_royals_power_rankings_5_19/13654345 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/e/cedb7d16abe0b00d9e61c8b427b0ab472e74fbce/mini/mlb-blue-jays-royals-jul.jpg Your browser does not support iframes.Jeff Francoeur may be the most popular player among Oakland A's fans.Of course, that may seem strange considering the outfielder plays for the Kansas City Royals. However, it's not too hard to realize why A's fans, especially those who occupy the right field seats at the O.co Coliseum, adore him so much.This weekend, Francoeur and the Royals are making their one and only trip to Oakland during the season. So, A's fans decided to hold "Bacon Friday" in homage to Francoeur, who has been treating A's fans generously since 2011.In September 2011, the A's fans in section 149 started ‘Bacon Tuesdays.’ by bringing homemade bacon creations into the stadium. After the game, Francoeur chatted with the fans and even indulged in some delicious bacon. The next day, Francoeur attached a one-hundred dollar bill to a signed baseball and gave it to the ringleader. The group still has that ball and bill!In April 2012, Francoeur ... Sat, 18 May 2013 12:54:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_jeff_francoeur_continues_tradition_with_opposing_fans_by_visiting_before_game/13645291 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_jeff_francoeur_continues_tradition_with_opposing_fans_by_visiting_before_game/13645291 Video: Jeff Francoeur continues tradition with opposing fans by visiting before game http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/video_jeff_francoeur_continues_tradition_with_opposing_fans_by_visiting_before_game/13645291 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Kansas City Royals recalled outfielder David Lough from their Triple-A Omaha minor league affiliate. To make room for Lough on the active roster, Kansas City placed outfielder Jarrod Dyson on the 15-day disabled list with a right ankle sprain. In an unrelated move, the Royals have decided to release right-handed reliever Blaine Boyer after he decided to opt-out of his contract. He is confident enough in his physical skills to believe that he will find himself in a better situation. That takes courage and we here at FFLockerRoom wish him the best of luck in his free agency endeavors. The post Kansas City Royals Make Trio Of Moves Including David Lough Recall appeared first on FFLockerRoom | NFL News | MLB News | NBA News | NHL News | Fantasy |. Fri, 17 May 2013 20:37:43 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/kansas_city_royals_make_trio_of_moves_including_david_lough_recall/13642357 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/kansas_city_royals_make_trio_of_moves_including_david_lough_recall/13642357 Kansas City Royals Make Trio Of Moves Including David Lough Recall http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/kansas_city_royals_make_trio_of_moves_including_david_lough_recall/13642357 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png by John Viril— In 2010, the Kansas City Royals minor league system enjoyed a magical season which saw a record nine farmhands propel themselves into Baseball Prospectus’ top 100 prospects. 2013 is almost the exact opposite. This year, Kansas City’s  top prospects are typically suffering through slow starts to their season. Prospects are cratering up and down the organization: AAA—Not one player from AAA Omaha made either the Baseball America or Baseball Prospectus  top 10 list of Royals prospects. Probably the only player that might qualify as a strong prospect on the Stormchaser roster is former no. 4 overall draft pick Christian Colon, who is hitting a paltry (.234/.270/.313). This disappointing performance puts a huge crimp in Colon’s MLB hopes. He was drafted on the belief that he was a low-risk prospect highly likely to advance to the major leagues. Now, his bat looks too weak to even command a utility spot. Probably the only other AAA player with significant “upside” is the ov... Fri, 17 May 2013 19:07:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_prospects_enduring_tough_start/13642036 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_prospects_enduring_tough_start/13642036 Royals prospects enduring tough Start http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_prospects_enduring_tough_start/13642036 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Kansas City Royals placed centerfielder Jarrod Dyson on the disabled list with a sprained right ankle Friday and recalled outfielder David Lough from Triple-A Omaha. The speedy Dyson hurt his ankle Wednesday night against the Angels while attempting to scale the outfield wall and rob Mike Trout of a home run. He was forced to leave the game in the eighth inning and an examination by the medical staff revealed the sprain. Dyson was hitting .268 with a homer and eight RBIs, but had provided a spark for a struggling offense with his ability to cause problems on the base paths. Lough was hitting .340 with six doubles, three triple and three homers for the Storm Chasers, and was riding a 16-game hitting streak that ended May 8. Fri, 17 May 2013 15:32:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_put_cf_dyson_on_dl_recall_of_lough/13640542 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_put_cf_dyson_on_dl_recall_of_lough/13640542 Royals put CF Dyson on DL, recall OF Lough http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_put_cf_dyson_on_dl_recall_of_lough/13640542 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png You may remember Aaron Crow's amateur career.  Stud starting pitcher at the University of Missouri.  He was a high first round draft pick for the Washington Nationals in 2008 (9th pick) but they were unable to sign him and he went back into the draft in 2009.  The Kansas City Royals grabbed him with the 12th pick of the 2009 draft.  Immediately the projections began that he was a top of the rotation guy who could be in the big leagues within a couple years at most. So what happened to Aaron Crow?  Is he a bust?  My good friend Cardinals Fan (who is also a Mizzou fan) and I have this discussion often.  It usually begins and ends with him asking me, "When are the Royals going to put Crow in the rotation?" I guess the only way to figure out whether he is a bust is to first define what a bust is, exactly.  The first factor you have to consider when judging draft picks is WHERE they were picked.  The next factor is expectations for the player based on the draft positi... Thu, 16 May 2013 13:47:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/is_aaron_crow_a_bust/13631675 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/is_aaron_crow_a_bust/13631675 Is Aaron Crow a Bust? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/is_aaron_crow_a_bust/13631675 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? Sure, its way too early to start talking about big series, but taking two of three from the Angels on the heels of losing six of seven was important to the Royals because it keeps everyone relaxed. The Royals desperately want to play significant games in August and September, and to do that they will have to break out of losing spells much more quickly than they have in the past. Previous Royals teams have gotten stuck on tough losses, and the next thing they knew, they had lost 10 of 12. Granted, the Royals top three starters in the rotation certainly provide protection against killer losing spells, but what was great about Wednesdays win is that the Royals essentially escaped a Wade Davis start with a win. Now the Royals swing back to ace James Shields on Friday at Oakland and have a chance to regain momentum. Winning a series from the Angels hasnt exactly been a challenge for the rest of the league this season the Angels are truly a mess right now but theres too much talent on t Thu, 16 May 2013 13:21:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/five_things_you_need_to_know_from_the_royals_angels_series/13631369 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/five_things_you_need_to_know_from_the_royals_angels_series/13631369 Five things you need to know from the Royals-Angels series http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/five_things_you_need_to_know_from_the_royals_angels_series/13631369 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png For several years now the Kansas City Royals have had one of the better farm systems in Major League Baseball.  Most teams should be so lucky.  The Royals haven’t been able to translate this advantage into success on the field and there would seem to be one very good reason for this. You can’t win the World Series with the AAA Storm Chasers.  It takes time to scout and develop major league talent.  While developing young talent can be exciting, it usually comes with long periods of growing pains while the fans wait for the team to assemble all of the necessary pieces to win consistently.  And if you’re a mid-market team like the Royals, then you hope that you have enough players developed each year to keep costs down. But the patience may be paying off for Royals fans as they are now getting a glimpse at what a winning, home-grown baseball team looks like in Kansas City.  Mike Moustakas, who was a 1st round draft pick in 2007, had 20 home runs and 73 RBIs last year in 560+ at bats.... Wed, 15 May 2013 15:45:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/the_evolving_kansas_city_royals_the_offense/13624646 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/the_evolving_kansas_city_royals_the_offense/13624646 The Evolving Kansas City Royals: The Offense http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/the_evolving_kansas_city_royals_the_offense/13624646 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png KANSAS CITY, Mo. Few Royals fans will forget the news in the fall of 1998 when the Royals and then radio partner Entercom shockingly decided to remove longtime broadcaster Fred White from the radio booth after he had served more than 25 years with the franchise. No reason was given for the dismissal, and fans were left stunned. And outraged. And White himself was bewildered. "The Royals," he told me at the time, "have been my life." No one would have blamed White for harboring any bitterness back then. In fact, when the Royals hired his replacement, Ryan Lefebvre, prior to the 1999 season, one might have expected White to turn a cold shoulder to Lefebvre. But that has never been White's style. After Lefebvre moved to Kansas City from Minnesota, he felt he owed a call to White, the icon he was replacing. "I really didn't know what to say to him at that point," Lefebvre said. "I wasn't comfortable at all. But Fred just said, Look, Ryan, let me tell you this: Wed, 15 May 2013 15:33:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/it_was_fred_who_made_them_comfortable_with_me/13624472 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/it_was_fred_who_made_them_comfortable_with_me/13624472 'It was Fred who made them comfortable with me' http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/it_was_fred_who_made_them_comfortable_with_me/13624472 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The sports birthdays for May 15 include John Smoltz, Heisman winner Desmond Howard, our favorite “alleged” murdering preacher Ray Lewis, and Emmitt Smith. A ton of sports studs on this day but the Holy Grail is an equal split between a giant bust, Ryan Leaf, and a baseball Hall of Famer with the greatest story ever about crapping his pants in Las Vegas, George Brett. Ryan Leaf is widely considered to be one of the biggest busts in the history of American sports. A top pick out of Washington State, drafted by the Chargers, the world quickly learned he was as capable of playing football as Michael Jordan was of playing baseball. Currently the most popular inmate in the Montana State penal system. Here’s a video showing Ryan Leaf’s great people skills. Last but not least, the funniest crapping his pants conversation I have ever heard coming from the mouth of Hall of Famer George Brett. George took the intiative to let the world know just how bad dropping a deuce in your pants and tryi... Wed, 15 May 2013 12:30:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/happy_birthday_george_brett_heres_the_epic_video_of_him_talking_about_crapping_his_pants/13622969 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/happy_birthday_george_brett_heres_the_epic_video_of_him_talking_about_crapping_his_pants/13622969 Happy Birthday George Brett. Here’s the epic video of him talking about crapping his pants http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/happy_birthday_george_brett_heres_the_epic_video_of_him_talking_about_crapping_his_pants/13622969 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png KANSAS CITY, Mo. It's the debate Royals fans and Royals players as well -- love to have: Should the Royals move the fences in once again at spacious Kauffman Stadium? The discussion takes on some added meaning this season no doubt because of the Royals' power shortage. They are last in the American League in home runs with 25, with just 10 of those coming at Kauffman Stadium. And there has been no question that the Royals look like a more dangerous offensive team on the road, as evidenced by some power surges in more hitter-friendly parks in Boston (five homers in three games) and Baltimore (six homers in three games). "I think that would be fantastic for everyone if they moved the fences in at Kauffman Stadium," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer chirped enthusiastically. "It's a big, big park. I know everyone has to play in the same field so it's the same for both teams, but with our lineup, it'd be a big help for us. "I don't know if it would ever happen, b Tue, 14 May 2013 11:43:14 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/is_it_time_to_move_the_fences_in_at_the_k_once_more/13614290 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/is_it_time_to_move_the_fences_in_at_the_k_once_more/13614290 Is it time to move the fences in at The K once more? http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/is_it_time_to_move_the_fences_in_at_the_k_once_more/13614290 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png KANSAS CITY, Mo. In some respects, Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar became the poster child for the team's losing ways over the past few years. A former No. 1 overall pick, Hochevar not only fell far short of those lofty expectations, he became the target of misdirected anger from all angles from fans, bloggers and media. The more the team lost, and the more Hochevar lost, the more he became the explanation for all things bad. As Hochevar's losses mounted (16 last season, against eight wins) and his ERA skyrocketed (5.73 in 2012), he often was described by some fans as one of the worst starters in baseball. Fans moaned in absolute disbelief last winter when the Royals tendered his contract instead of outright releasing him, and, worse, then avoided arbitration by signing him to a 4.56 million one-year deal. But all the cries of anguish have subsided through the first six weeks of the season. Hochevar is no longer Public Enemy No. 1 to Royals fans. In fact, since being converted to the bullpen Mon, 13 May 2013 14:06:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/hochevar_finally_finds_his_niche_with_royals/13607570 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/hochevar_finally_finds_his_niche_with_royals/13607570 Hochevar finally finds his niche with Royals http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/hochevar_finally_finds_his_niche_with_royals/13607570 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/4/34ffd76d8d6e55a1673faa4f38f981dea39adcbb/mini/TWINSROYALS_1dd6.jpg