Royals Are Riding High in Anaheim

A couple of Kansas City broadcasters, preparing to tape their introduction to Saturday night’s telecast from Anaheim Stadium, made the mistake of using the Angel dugout as a backdrop.

Their opening remarks included a reference to Angel owner Gene Autry and how “Back In the Saddle” was his theme song and how those words now apply to the Royals, who “have gotten themselves back in the saddle here.”

They made these remarks within earshot of Angel Manager Gene Mauch, who looked up at them and grumbled, “How would you like to kiss Gene Autry’s horse’s (rear)?”

There are times when the truth hurts. Yes, the Royals are riding high and comfortably, righting themselves at the expense of the Angels, who lost their third straight game to Kansas City, 8-4, before a crowd of 39,510.

After Danny Jackson shut them out Friday night, Royal left-hander Charlie Leibrandt limited them to 2 runs and 7 hits through 8 innings before relief pitcher Dan Quisenberry came on to serve up an insignificant two-run home run to Ruppert Jones in the bottom of the ninth.

It was insignificant because Kansas City hitters had delivered five significant home runs, tying the club’s single-game record. Angel starter Jack Lazorko (2-3) surrendered the first three--two-run homers to George Brett in the first inning and Danny Tartabull in the third, and a solo shot to Jamie Quirk in the fifth. DeWayne Buice yielded the other two--a solo homer to Steve Balboni in the sixth inning and a two-run shot to rookie Kevin Seitzer in the seventh.

The Angels continue to lead the American League in home runs allowed--98 in just 68 games.

“Jack’s having a little bit of trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark,” Mauch understated.

In seven starts with the Angels, Lazorko has been responsible for 12 home runs.

Such a pace has placed Lazorko’s job as an Angel starting pitcher in jeopardy.

“If he wants to keep pitching,” Mauch said, “it might be a good idea for him to start pitching better.”

The loss dropped the Angels eight games under .500 (30-38), a disappointing turn of events after the Angels had scored two victories last weekend in Kansas City. As Mauch put it, “We got the job done there, but obviously, we’re not doing the job here.”

And losing at home, where the Angels supposedly have some sort of advantage, particularly galls Mauch.

“I don’t like losing anytime, but when 40,000 people come out to be disappointed, it only adds to it,” Mauch said.

“I don’t know if I invented it, but you play like you pitch and you look like you pitch. Maybe that didn’t come from me, but it’s still a thought.”

Meanwhile, Angel pitching is making the Royals look good. Kansas City Manager Billy Gardner said: “We’ve been swinging the bat pretty good lately,” but then conceded: “but I didn’t expect five home runs.”

In their last six games, the Royals are hitting better than .300, are averaging more than 6 runs a game, and have hit 13 home runs. They have won their last four games to close within two of first-place Minnesota in the American League West.

If that’s not considered being back in the saddle, the Royals at least have their feet in the stirrups, braced for a charge.

“There’s a long way to go, but we’re playing pretty darn good right now,” Gardner said. “Brett’s back, White’s hitting, Wilson’s playing well and the kid at third (Seitzer) has been outstanding. The pitching has been the biggest factor. (Mark) Gubicza’s (Thursday night) win and Jackson’s win, back to back, gave us a big lift.

“Things are just starting to blend together. the combination of good pitching and a lot of offense is certainly helping.’

Lazorko, who lasted 2 innings in his last start, didn’t get an out in the fifth inning Saturday night. After surrendering a leadoff home run to Quirk in the fifth, Lazorko gave up a double to Willie Wilson, then walked Seitzer before giving way to Buice. Lazorko left, trailing, 5-1.

Buice retired the side in order in the fifth, but by the time he pitched his way out of the seventh, Kansas City had an 8-1 lead.

The Angels’ four runs came on Jones’ pinch homer, a solo home run by Brian Downing and an RBI single by Devon White. White drove home Downing, who had doubled with one out in the seventh inning.

Downing also had a pair of singles, giving him four hits for the evening. Only one other Angel, Wally Joyner, has had as many as four hits in one game this season.

But when contrasted to the damage Lazorko and Buice wrought, it was not nearly enough.

Angel Notes Kirk McCaskill prepared for the final phase of his rehabilitative program by throwing the equivalent of five innings in a simulated game Saturday. McCaskill said he threw pain-free and is now scheduled to make a start for the Angels’ Class A team in Palm Springs Thursday. “I’ve had enough simulated games,” McCaskill said. “Now it’s time for a stimulated game.” McCaskill threw all of his pitches during the workout, including a few changeups, which Angel Manager Gene Mauch admitted “made me wince. That’s the pitch that gave him the problems in the first place.” McCaskill said the changeup “gave me no pain at all. I never used it that much before, but at least now, I can work on it. The arm felt better than it did before the operation, which, I guess, is to be expected.” McCaskill had originally hoped to return to the starting rotation July 2 or 3 but now says “it’s probably been pushed back to to the 8th. They want me to make two starts in Palm Springs, one Thursday and then the following Tuesday.