THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014
PAGE 3B
BASEBALL
Jayhawks fall to Hawkeyes in mid-week series
SHANE JACKSON sports@kansan.com
Sophomore first baseman Ryan Pidhaichuk catches a foul ball against Oklahoma on March 30. Kansas is 21-13 overall and 5-4 in the Big XII.
It was a few short months ago when coach Ritch Price sat in his office with the January snow beginning to melt away, and baseball season just around the corner. Price had one point of emphasis in order to make the Jayhawks a tournament team. After failing to appear in the tournament last spring, Price emphasized that in order for the Jayhawks to take the next step, they would have to perform better in their mid-week matchups.
After another disappointing mid-week matchup, where they lost to the Iowa Hawkeyes (18-12) by a score of 7-12, the Jayhawks appear to be farther away from taking that next step. For the second time this spring, Kansas was swept in a mid-week series.
"We have said mid-weeks have to be just as important as weekend performances, after a series win against K-State, a series loss like this leaves a bad taste in your mouth," said senior catcher Ka'iana Eldredge, who was the lone Jayhawk available to talk after the tough loss.
Jayhawks now have an overall record of 21-13, but a mere 2-5 record in mid-week contests after losing their first three mid-week games to start the year.
Kansas got on the board first
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
with a two-run inning in the top of the second. Junior first baseman Blair Beck took a two out fastball up the middle to score senior outfielder Tucker Tharp. Beck was then scored by Eldredge who took a 3-2 pitch and doubled to left.
Hawkeyes then answered with huge back-to-back offensive innings in the bottom of the second and third. They scored five runs off six hits in the second with two outs, and then tacked on three more runs on three hits to force Kansas to go to the bullpen rather early.
"We swung the bats well today, but you have to tip your cap to that Iowa team; they just hit better."
KA'IANA ELDREDGE Kansas catcher
Junior right-handed starter Drew Morovick got the start against Iowa, and was pulled after 2.2 innings of work.
Coming into Wednesday's night contest Morovick led the conference in wins with six. He failed to get his seventh after allowing eight early runs off 10 hits to receive his second loss of the spring.
After taking the mound earlier than expected, sophomore Hayden Edwards
settled down the bats of Iowa. He allowed just one run which came in the seventh, allowing three hits in four innings, striking out a pair of Hawkeyes.
Five layhawks had multi-hit performances on the road, but left 12 guys stranded. Tharp went four of five at the plate with four singles. Eldredge was near perfect going three
for four with a couple doubles and junior Michael Suiter picked up a pair singles.
"We swung the bats well today, but you have to tip your cap to that Iowa team; they just hit better," said Eldredge.
Junior designated hitter Connor McKay (2-5) and sophomore Colby Wright (2-4) went the distance. McKay picked up his sixth home run
on the year in the third for a solo shot. Wright recorded his first home run
"It's always nice seeing a young guy get his first (home run)," said Eldredge.
Jayhawks look to forget about this mid-week sweep as they prepare for a home series against a conference foe. The first of a three game series against Texas Christian
University (20-12) will be Friday. First pitch will be at 6 p.m.
"It will be nice to be at Hoglund ballpark," said Eldredge. "TCU is a tough pitching team, we are going up against two high caliber pitchers, we have to be focused and ready to go."
Edited by Julie Etzler
MLB
Gordon homers, drives in 4 as Royals beat Rays 7-3
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Gordon hit a three-run homer and matched a career high with four RBIs, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 7-3 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays in their series finale Wednesday.
NoriAoki, Johnny Giavotella and Billy Butler also drove in runs for the Royals, who have struggled to find offense all season. They had only scored more than four runs once in
their first seven games, and lost 1-0 to Tampa Bay the previous night.
Jeremy Guthrie (2-0) recovered from a sloppy start to hold the Rays to four hits over seven innings. The only run he allowed came on Desmond Jennings' homer in the fourth.
The Royals broke the game open with a five-run fifth off Jake Odorizzi (1-1), who was part of the blockbuster trade in 2012 that brought James
Shields from Tampa Bay to Kansas City.
The Royals went ahead on Butler's RBI groundout and Gordon's run-scoring single in the fourth inning.
Lorenzo Cain singled off Odorizzi to lead off the fifth, Aoki followed two batters later with a triple to right, and the flood gates were open.
Giavotella, recalled from Triple-A Omaha to replace injured second baseman Omar Infante, hit a sacrifice
fly to make it 4-1. Hosmer and Butler followed with back-to-back singles, and Gordon popped a pitch to right-center that hung up long enough in the wind to land over the fence.
It was a rough way for Odorizzi to return to Kauffman Stadium, where he made his big league debut with the Royals in 2012. He allowed all seven runs on 10 hits and a walk in five innings.
scoring chance with runners on first and second and one out in the second inning when Mike Moustakas struck out and Gordon was thrown out heading to third.
Royals manager Ned Yost trundled onto the field and challenged the call. After a review of 2 minutes, 10 seconds, the ruling made by third base umpire Quinn Wolcott was upheld.
It hardly mattered the way the Royals were swinging
— and the way Guthrie was pitching.
The right-hander, who turned 35 on Tuesday, was coming off a rough start against the White Sox. But Guthrie navigated trouble in each of the first three innings, leaving five Rays on base, and then retired his final 12 batters to hand the lead to his bullpen.
Kelvin Herrera gave up two runs in the ninth for Kansas City.
4