--C Brayan Pena was claimed off waivers from the Braves. Pena, a 26-year-old switch-hitter from Cuba, was 4-for-14, .286, all as a pinch hitter this season for Atlanta. He is a career .288 hitter in parts of four seasons with the Braves.
--LHP Neal Musser was called up Thursday, pitched a hitless inning that night against the Twins and optioned back to Class AAA Omaha on Friday. --RHP Luke Hudson, who had shoulder surgery last June and a setback while rehabbing in Arizona, was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list to make space on the 40-man roster for C Brayan Pena.
--DH Miguel Olivo walked in the second inning after the Royals went 38 innings without a free pass. The previous Royal to walk was OF David DeJesus in the third inning Monday at Toronto.
--2B Esteban German's three hits was a season high. His last three-hit game was Aug. 5, 2007 against the Yankees.
--The Royals' 12-game losing streak is the longest in the majors the past two years. Kansas City and Pittsburgh each had 13-game losing streaks in 2006.
--RHP Brett Tomko made his first relief appearance since March 31, the season opener. He came in with the Royals ahead 4-3, gave up two runs in his one inning and took the loss.
--2B Mark Grudzielanek missed his fourth straight game with a stiff back, but could return to the lineup Saturday.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5,550 -- Games the Royals played from the time Angels RHP Nolan Ryan no-hit them May 15, 1972, at Kansas City until May 19, 2008, when Red Sox LHP Jon Lester no-hit them at Fenway Park. There were 74 no-hitters in that span. The only clubs with longer current streaks of not getting no-hit are the Pirates, Cubs and Reds.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "If we don't pitch, we don't win. Every so often, maybe once every two weeks, we might be able to not pitch as well and still win because we have an offensive outburst." -- Manager Trey Hillman.
