--The Royals went 4-0 on the homestand, sweeping two-game series from the Mariners and White Sox. The last time the Royals swept a homestand of two or more series was April 18-24, 2003, when they went 5-0 against the Tigers and Twins.
--RHP Brian Bannister improved to 13-4 in day games. He is 13-22 in night games. He picked up his first career victory over the Mariners and lowered his ERA to 1.48 with six scoreless innings Thursday. "He did a real good job, especially getting out of that jam in the first inning (runners at the corners with one out). He had to do it with good pitches against some good hitters. He was very effective," manager Trey Hillman said. --RHP Zack Greinke became the first pitcher in the majors with six victories Monday and lowered his earned run average to 0.40 with a complete-game shutout of the White Sox. Greinke joins RHP Bret Saberhagen (1987) and Jose Lima (2003) as the only Royals pitchers to win their first six decisions. Lima won seven in 2003. Greinke struck out 10 and walked none, the fourth time in his career he has logged double-figure strikeouts with no walks.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We could see last year they (the Royals) made a lot of progress and they're better this year. When (RHP Zack) Greinke pitches, they are as good as any team in baseball." -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1-for-13 -- C John Buck on throwing out base runners this season after throwing out just seven of 65 in 2008.
