--RHP Brian Bannister has given credit to Dr. Andrew Jacobs, the Royals' psychologist, for helping him out of pitching jams. "We work on different scenarios and go through certain things between innings," Bannister said. "It's been awesome. Just trying to get on a better tempo, refocus and just get ahead and throw strikes. It's been a real blessing to have him along. Obviously, I was frustrated with walking all those people (six on Monday), but we focused on taking all the negatives and turning them into positives. The way they were taking swings, I could tell they were frustrated -- just as frustrated as I was."
--1B Ryan Shealy, who was outrighted to Class AAA Omaha at the end of spring training, is hitting .461, 19-for-41, in his last dozen games in the Pacific Coast League, raising his average from .174 to .340. Shealy extended his hitting streak to eight games Tuesday in Omaha's 3-1 victory over Oklahoma City with a run-producing double. He also walked and scored a run. --RHP Zack Greinke is 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Greinke is the first pitcher in big league history to win his first four outings with a 0.00 ERA while logging at least 36 strikeouts.
BY THE NUMBERS: .000 -- Royals batting average with bases loaded and two out, going 0-for-6.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The bottom line is we've got to get the big hit, get the offense going and plate some runs. It's not just one guy. We're just not clicking." -- Royals manager Trey Hillman on the offense going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position on Saturday and Sunday in losses to the Tigers.
