Royals' Hosmer back in lineup, Vargas improving
Left-hander Jason Vargas peered toward the plate, wound up and delivered a fastball with total confidence, and Eric Hosmer took a massive cut with just as much certainty in his swing. Both of which were good news for the Kansas City Royals.
For Hosmer, it was one last test of his bruised hand before returning to the lineup for Tuesday night's series opener against Minnesota. For Vargas, it was a four-inning simulated game that could be the final hurdle in returning to the starting rotation following an appendectomy.
The Royals began the day five games back of Detroit in the AL Central, and just 2 1/2 games out of the second wild card. They are trying to end a playoff drought that stretches back to 1985. ''Games throughout the year are huge, '' Hosmer said, ''but obviously time is ticking down now. ''Hosmer's return should help. Not only is he far better defensively than Billy Butler, who filled in at first base, but he also was starting to heat up when he took a pitch from Boston's Jon Lester off his right hand. Hosmer was hitting. 410 in July, the best in the majors.
For Hosmer, it was one last test of his bruised hand before returning to the lineup for Tuesday night's series opener against Minnesota. For Vargas, it was a four-inning simulated game that could be the final hurdle in returning to the starting rotation following an appendectomy.
The Royals began the day five games back of Detroit in the AL Central, and just 2 1/2 games out of the second wild card. They are trying to end a playoff drought that stretches back to 1985. ''Games throughout the year are huge, '' Hosmer said, ''but obviously time is ticking down now. ''Hosmer's return should help. Not only is he far better defensively than Billy Butler, who filled in at first base, but he also was starting to heat up when he took a pitch from Boston's Jon Lester off his right hand. Hosmer was hitting. 410 in July, the best in the majors.
AnthonyBryantok - 25. Aug, 04:40
