2009 Kansas City Royals season

March 2026 November 2013 Kansas City Royals 2009 Kansas City Royals Insignia (2002–2025).svg American League Central Kauffman Stadium 65–97 (.401) tied for 4th Kansas City, Missouri David Glass Dayton Moore Trey Hillman Fox Sports Kansas City(Ryan Lefebvre, Bob Davis, Paul Splittorff, Frank White) KCSP 610 AM(Denny Matthews, Ryan Lefebvre, Steve Stewart, Bob Davis) The 2009 Kansas City Royals season was the 41st season for the franchise, and their 37th at Kauffman Stadium. The season began on April 7 with a game against the Chicago White Sox at U. S. Cellular Field, which Chicago won. On April 10, the Royals hosted the New York Yankees in the first game at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium for the Royals' home opener. Interleague opponents included the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Royals looked to improve on their 2008 record of 75–87 and sought their first playoff appearance since 1985, as manager Trey Hillman returned for his second season with Kansas City. The Royals' payroll for the 2009 season was $70.5 million, approximately 25 percent higher than their 2008 payroll (and 21st in the major leagues). Dutton Bob Royals to Open 2010 Season With $70.1 million Payroll Kansas City Star April 4, 2010 http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/04/1856456/royals-to-open-2010-season-with.html April 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100409055851/http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/04/1856456/royals-to-open-2010-season-with.html April 9, 2010 dead USA Today Salaries Database USA Today http://content.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/totalpayroll.aspx?year=2007 April 5, 2010 October 24, 2007 There was much optimism for the Royals heading into the season, with some experts saying they had the potential reach the postseason.Royals as contenders... and other predictions http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30016401/ DeMarco Tony NBC Sports at MSNBC.com April 2, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090405131422/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30016401/ April 5, 2009 dead Opening Day brings a world of possibilities http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30060143/ Celizic Mike NBC Sports at MSNBC.com April 6, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090406233557/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30060143/ April 6, 2009 dead After a strong start and 18–11 record, the Royals suffered several losing streaks and fell back to a losing record, finishing with a dismal 65–97 record. Off-season Coaching staff changes Following the 2008 season, third base coach Luis Silverio and hitting coach Mike Barnett were not retained on Trey Hillman's coaching staff.Seitzer, Gibbons complete Royals staff http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081013&content_id=3616030&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com October 13, 2008 October 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607063535/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081013&content_id=3616030&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead In October 2008, the Royals hired Kevin Seitzer as the team's new hitting coach and John Gibbons as bench coach. Seitzer served as the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008, and Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays for five seasons. Both were dismissed from their respective teams before the 2007 season was completed. Dave Owen, the team's bench coach from 2008, will be the third base coach. Bob McClure (pitching), Rusty Kuntz (first base), and John Mizerock (bullpen) were all retained to complete the six-man staff. Winter meetings After the acquisitions of Mike Jacobs and Coco Crisp, the Royals entered the Winter Meetings not seeking to add another big free agent acquisition like in years past (Gil Meche in 2007 and José Guillén in 2008).Free-agent splash unlikely for Royals http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081107&content_id=3669901&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com November 10, 2008 December 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607070230/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081107&content_id=3669901&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead Through trades, Kansas City sought to acquire relief pitching, a middle infielder, and a starting pitcher.Relief will be KC's likely meetings focus http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3696778&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 2, 2008 December 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081208142839/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3696778&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 8, 2008 dead The Royals pursued both RHP Kyle Farnsworth and RHP Brandon Lyon,KC agenda includes beefing up 'pen http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3706691&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 8, 2008 December 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081212041401/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3706691&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 12, 2008 dead and signed Farnsworth to a two-year contract.Royals solidify bullpen at Meetings http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081211&content_id=3714272&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 11, 2008 December 12, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081214204252/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081211&content_id=3714272&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 14, 2008 dead The Royals also signed LHP Horacio Ramírez, who was previously with the team in 2008, and RHP Doug Waechter. The Royals were also one of the final four teams that were in talks with SS Rafael Furcal.Furcal's final four includes Royals http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3709297&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 9, 2008 December 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607064157/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3709297&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead The acquisition of Furcal would have resulted in the Royals moving SS Mike Avilés to second base. Furcal played with the Atlanta Braves, where Royals general manager Dayton Moore worked prior to joining the Royals' front office. Reports said that Kansas City was maneuvering to clear payroll so that they could sign Furcal, or sign Orlando Cabrera, who was in the Royals' backup plan.Royals are fourth team to bid on Furcal https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-furcalroyals121008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Passan Jeff Yahoo! Sports December 10, 2008 December 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081213113704/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-furcalroyals121008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns December 13, 2008 live Kansas City bowed out of talks with Furcal after they could not work around their payroll.Royals bow out of Furcal bidding http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3719566&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Leach Matthew December 16, 2008 December 19, 2008 MLB.com https://web.archive.org/web/20081217095711/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3719566&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 17, 2008 dead The Boston Globe reported that the Royals had "serious discussions" concerning a trade of RHP Zack Greinke to the Atlanta Braves for OF Jeff Francoeur.Moore dismisses Francoeur rumor http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708380&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 9, 2008 December 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607064836/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708380&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead Reports about Kansas City's purported interest in Francoeur also surfaced weeks before the Winter Meetings but there had been no concrete evidence that the Royals pursued such a deal. Dayton Moore quickly denied the report. Moore showed a reluctance to trade Greinke or outfielders Mark Teahen and David DeJesus, all of whom were attached to rumors throughout the off-season. Roster moves Royals players eligible for arbitration center #74B4FA Kansas City entered the 2008–2009 off-season with 15 players eligible for arbitration. 18em LHP John BaleRoyals looking ahead to meetings http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081203&content_id=3700423&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 4, 2008 December 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081208062010/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081203&content_id=3700423&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 8, 2008 dead (re-signed) RHP Brian BannisterKC, Bannister agree on one-year deal http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090203&content_id=3796812&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com February 4, 2009 February 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090209204907/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090203&content_id=3796812&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc February 9, 2009 dead C John BuckBuck, Peralta agree to one-year deals http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090120&content_id=3751135&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com January 20, 2009 February 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090210052313/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090120&content_id=3751135&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc February 10, 2009 dead RHP Kyle Davies RHP Brandon Duckworth OF Joey Gathright (released) IF/OF Esteban Germán LHP Jimmy GobbleRoyals, Gobble avoid arbitration http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090119&content_id=3750651&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com January 19, 2009 February 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090125034241/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090119&content_id=3750651&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc January 25, 2009 dead RHP Zack GreinkeGreinke inks four-year deal with Royals http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090126&content_id=3772546&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Beck Jason MLB.com January 26, 2009 February 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090129221006/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090126&content_id=3772546&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc January 29, 2009 dead mdy-all 2B Mark Grudzielanek (declined)Grudzielanek declines arbitration offer http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3705690&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com December 8, 2008 December 10, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20120314144231/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3705690&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc March 14, 2012 dead 1B Mike Jacobs C Miguel Olivo RHP Joel Peralta IF Jason Smith IF/OF Mark Teahen In October, the Royals acquired 1B Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins in exchange for SP Leo Núñez.KC acquires power-hitting Jacobs http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=3654841&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Kaegel Dick MLB.com October 30, 2008 October 30, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081102020639/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=3654841&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb November 2, 2008 live In November, the Royals acquired CF Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for RP Ramón Ramírez.Royals acquire Coco Crisp from Red Sox for Ramon Ramirez http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081119&content_id=3684505&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kansas City Royals press release MLB.com November 19, 2008 November 19, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607065650/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081119&content_id=3684505&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead mdy-all In December, the Royals did not tender contracts to OF Joey Gathright, LHP John Bale, RHP Jairo Cuevas, and 2B Jason Smith.Four players non-tendered by Royals http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=3716264&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick December 13, 2008 December 19, 2008 MLB.com https://web.archive.org/web/20081219072605/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=3716264&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 19, 2008 dead mdy-all Bale was later re-signed on a one-year deal,Bale signs one-year deal http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3719093&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 16, 2008 December 19, 2008 Kaegel Dick MLB.com https://web.archive.org/web/20081218092623/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3719093&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc December 18, 2008 dead In January, the Royals agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract with RHP Zack Greinke. Regular season Season standings Kansas City Royals Record vs. opponents KC Monthly summaries April right|thumb|Zack Greinke finished the month of April with a 5–0 record and 0.50 ERA. He won Pitcher of the Month honors and was featured on Sports Illustrated. The Royals' season opener against the Chicago White Sox was originally scheduled for April 6 but was postponed due to snow forecasts in the Chicago area.KC to open '09 season in Chicago http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080917&content_id=3495652&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com September 17, 2008 September 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607055956/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080917&content_id=3495652&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead Postponed by weather: Red Sox-Rays, White Sox-Royals http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/06/rays.redsox.ap/index.html https://archive.today/20130119113752/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/06/rays.redsox.ap/index.html dead January 19, 2013 Associated Press SI.com April 6, 2009 April 6, 2009 The game was rescheduled for April 7, which was originally an off-day for both teams.KC looks to carry hot hitting into opener http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090401&content_id=4106390&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 5, 2009 April 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090410072539/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090401&content_id=4106390&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc April 10, 2009 dead The Royals lost the first game of the season after Kyle Farnsworth gave up a game-losing, three-run homer to Chicago's Jim Thome.Farnsworth's setup role not in danger http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090408&content_id=4169988&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 8, 2009 April 22, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607044105/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090408&content_id=4169988&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead After losing the first game to Chicago, the Royals won two of three games against Chicago to open the series.Davies dominant, Crisp seals it http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090408&content_id=4167504&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 9, 2009 April 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090412021100/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090408&content_id=4167504&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc April 12, 2009 dead The Royals played the New York Yankees on April 10 at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium for their home opener. It was the first game of a three-game series. Kansas City lost the first two games and trailed late in the 8th inning of the third game before Brayan Peña scored a game-tying RBI double and then scored the go-ahead run on Alberto Callaspo's RBI single.Late KC rally KOs Yanks' sweep plans http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090412&content_id=4237222&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 12, 2009 April 12, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090415145136/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090412&content_id=4237222&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb April 15, 2009 live Peña is the team's third-string catcher and was listed as designated hitter for the day. The Royals would hold on to the 6–4 lead for their third win on the season. On April 17 the Royals began a three-game series with the Texas Rangers and eventually won two of them. On that day, 3B Alex Gordon was placed on the disabled list and was ruled out for at least two months after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.Gordon out at least 10-12 weeks http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/17/royals.gordon.ap/index.html?eref=si_mlb https://web.archive.org/web/20121024182230/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/17/royals.gordon.ap/index.html?eref=si_mlb dead October 24, 2012 April 17, 2009 April 21, 2009 Associated Press Sports Illustrated Despite the bad news, the Royals beat the Rangers 12–3 in the opening game of the series.Royals back up Meche in rout of Rangers http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090417&content_id=4314702&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Wills Todd April 18, 2009 April 21, 2009 MLB.com https://web.archive.org/web/20090423045140/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090417&content_id=4314702&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc April 23, 2009 dead In the second game against the Rangers (on April 18), RHP Zack Greinke recorded his first career shut-out and extended his scoreless inning streak to 34.Greinke records first career shutout, extends scoreless innings streak to 34 http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290418113 Associated Press ESPN.com April 18, 2009 April 20, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090422231220/http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290418113 April 22, 2009 dead The streak dated back to the 2008 Kansas City Royals season. This brought Greinke's statistics to three wins in three starts and an 0.00 ERA, the best in the American League at the time. Texas' Kevin Millwood, who started for the Rangers, had the American League's second lowest ERA entering the game with a 0.64 ERA. The Royals entered the third game of the series against Texas looking for their first series sweep of the season.Young's homer the final blow as Texas rallies from two-run deficit for victory http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290419113 Associated Press ESPN.com April 19, 2009 April 20, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090422231157/http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290419113 April 22, 2009 dead After trailing 5–3 in the bottom of the eighth, the Rangers tied the game at 5 by the ninth inning after Royals set up pitchers Ron Mahay and Jamie Wright allowed two runs.'Pen, defense keep KC from sweep http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090419&content_id=4344552&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Wills Todd MLB.com April 19, 2009 April 20, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090502064958/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090419&content_id=4344552&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 2, 2009 dead Texas' Michael Young hit a game-winning leadoff home run off of reliever Kyle Farnsworth's second pitch of the inning. The loss brought Kansas City down to a three-way tie for first place in the American League Central with Detroit and Chicago. Royals manager Trey Hillman kept closer Joakim Soria in the bullpen for the entire series instead reasoning that he didn't want Soria to be used for more than one inning in the third game. RHP Brian Bannister was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to pitch for Kansas City on April 22 and replaced both the injured Doug Waechter, who was placed on the DL, and the struggling Horacio Ramírez in the pitching rotation.Bannister dominates Tribe in return http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090422&content_id=4387092&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 22, 2009 April 22, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090428080659/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090422&content_id=4387092&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc April 28, 2009 dead Bannister and Jamie Wright pitched eight shut-out innings before closer Joakim Soria returned from an eight-day hiatus to close out the 2–0 victory. Soria battled injuries for most of the month.Royals ready to welcome back Soria http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090430&content_id=4497646&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 30, 2009 May 1, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090504120239/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090430&content_id=4497646&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 4, 2009 dead Zack Greinke's scoreless innings streak ended at 38 when an unearned run was scored after an errant throw by Mike Avilés in a 6–1 Royals victory over the Detroit Tigers.Completely dominant: Greinke dazzles http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090424&content_id=4406874&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 24, 2009 April 24, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090428133410/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090424&content_id=4406874&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc April 28, 2009 dead The run was unearned so Greinke's ERA stayed at 0.00 and his record improved to 4–0 on the season. The game was also Greinke's second complete game of the season. Greinke was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrateds May 4, 2009, issue (Volume 110, Issue 18) for a cover story by Joe Posnanski called "The Best Pitcher in Baseball."Greinke to don SI cover http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4464996&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Gonzalez Alden MLB.com April 28, 2009 April 28, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20120314145715/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4464996&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc March 14, 2012 dead Greinke is the first Royals player to appear on the magazine cover since pitcher David Cone on April 5, 1993, for the magazine's baseball preview. The last Kansas City player to appear in an in-season cover was back on June 12, 1989, when SI featured outfielder Bo Jackson. The team won three of four games against the Toronto Blue Jays, who entered the series with baseball's best record.Buck's big day puts Royals alone in first http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090430&content_id=4497642&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com April 30, 2009 May 1, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090504032100/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090430&content_id=4497642&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 4, 2009 dead On April 29 Zack Greinke was the first pitcher of the season to record his fifth win and allowed only two runs to the Blue Jays in an 11–3 victory.Greinke first in Majors to win five games http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090429&content_id=4493384&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick April 29, 2009 May 1, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607065645/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090429&content_id=4493384&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead mdy-all This brought his ERA for the season from 0.00 to 0.50. By finishing with a 12–10 record for the month, the Royals registered their first winning April since 2003 when they began the season with a 16–7 record. May right|thumb|Twins pitcher Scott Baker held the Royals scoreless through six innings on May 3 but the Royals tallied seven runs once he left the game. The Royals entered the month of May in sole-possession of first place in the American League Central. They traveled to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome to play the Minnesota Twins in a three-game series to start off the month. The series was hotly contested with the Royals scoring 22 runs and the Twins scoring 19 and several lead changes. The second game of the series was decided in 11 innings.Soria's return a success as Royals win http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090502&content_id=4526010&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Nystrom Thor MLB.com May 3, 2009 May 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090506222531/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090502&content_id=4526010&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 6, 2009 dead In the third game, the Royals were no-hit by Scott Baker through six innings before an offensive but then suddenly unleashed an offensive flurry in the seventh, scoring five runs to roar ahead and hold on for a stunning 7–5 victory.Patience pays off in Royals' win http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090502&content_id=4535660&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Nystrom Thor MLB.com May 3, 2009 May 4, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607045850/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090502&content_id=4535660&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 7, 2009 dead Zack Greinke threw his third complete game in a 3–0 shutout of the White Sox on May 4 and improved his record to 6–0 on the year with a 0.40 ERA.Greinke shuts out Sox for win No. 6 http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090504&content_id=4559334&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 5, 2009 May 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090513004633/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090504&content_id=4559334&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 13, 2009 dead Greinke lost his first game of the season to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 9 in a 1–0 loss.Despite dominance, Greinke given loss http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090509&content_id=4649310&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 10, 2009 May 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090513055954/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090509&content_id=4649310&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 13, 2009 dead Greinke pitched a complete game and his ERA rose to 0.51. Joakim Soria continued to battle injuries to his shoulder and his appearances were limited in the early part of May.Soria's shoulder status uncertain http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090509&content_id=4647322&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 9, 2009 May 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090513054852/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090509&content_id=4647322&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 13, 2009 dead He was placed on the disabled list and Sidney Ponson was sent to the bullpen in exchange for Luke Hochevar being called up from Triple-A Omaha.Closer Soria place on disabled list http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090510&content_id=4667710&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 10, 2009 May 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090514093502/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090510&content_id=4667710&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 14, 2009 dead mdy-all In his first appearance of the season, Hochevar lasted only two innings and allowed eight runs in a 12–3 loss to the Oakland Athletics.Hochevar blasted in loss to A's http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090511&content_id=4677264&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Eymer Rick MLB.com May 13, 2009 May 13, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090516105954/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090511&content_id=4677264&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 16, 2009 dead Entering the game, Kansas City's team ERA led the American League, but took a hit with Hochevar's performance. By the beginning of the fifth inning, Oakland led the game 12–0 and the Royals never recovered and dropped their fourth consecutive game. The Royals lost all five games of their road trip against the Angels and Athletics after sweeping their four-game homestand against the White Sox and Mariners. Zack Greinke's eighth start of the season was delayed by two and half hours of rainfall, but the Royals still won the game 8–1 against the Baltimore Orioles.Greinke storms to seventh victory http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090516&content_id=4762762&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 16, 2009 May 19, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090519082822/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090516&content_id=4762762&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 19, 2009 dead The game was held at Kauffman Stadium and had a sell-out crowd of 38,353 along with many other games in the season selling out for Greinke's starts.'Greinke effect' boosting KC's fortunes http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090518&content_id=4800934&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 18, 2009 May 19, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090523091004/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090518&content_id=4800934&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 23, 2009 dead The Royals split their four-game home series against the Orioles.Buck breaks tie, brings home win for KC http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090517&content_id=4790018&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 17, 2009 May 19, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090523133054/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090517&content_id=4790018&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 23, 2009 dead On May 19, Kansas City trailed Cleveland 5–2 entering the ninth inning but accomplished their biggest comeback victory of the season.Royals stun Tribe with four-run ninth http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090519&content_id=4819360&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 19, 2009 May 19, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090523202631/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090519&content_id=4819360&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 23, 2009 dead After two consecutive home runs by Mike Jacobs and Mark Teahen, the Royals rallied to a 6–5 victory after a sacrifice fly by Willie Bloomquist brought David DeJesus home for the winning run. Kansas City began Interleague play against their cross-state rival St. Louis Cardinals. After losing the first two games of the series by scores of 5–0,Royals can't find big hit in I-70 opener http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090522&content_id=4886392&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 23, 2009 May 23, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090525034600/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090522&content_id=4886392&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 25, 2009 dead Royals' bats remain silent in St. Louis http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090523&content_id=4901220&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 23, 2009 May 23, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090526043721/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090523&content_id=4901220&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 26, 2009 dead the Royals fell to a 21–22 record and under the .500 mark for the first time since April 11 when they were 2–3. After optioning three players (Mike Avilés, Luke Hochevar, and Robinson Tejeda) to the inactive roster,Royals execute myriad player moves http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090524&content_id=4922526&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 24, 2009 May 24, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090528082338/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090524&content_id=4922526&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 28, 2009 dead Kansas City won the final game 3–2 and regained a .500 record on the season. By the end of the month, the Royals began to slip from the top of their division standings in the American League Central, especially following a three-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox left the team with a 23–27 record. An 11–17 record in May dropped the Royals down to fourth place in the division. June Looking to rebound from a sub-par month of May, the Royals began June with a three-game series at Tampa Bay on June 2, but continued to flounder, dropping all three games. They lost their eighth game in a row on June 5 at Toronto, but broke the losing streak the next day thanks to a strong performance from Luke Hochevar. In the 2009 Major League Baseball draft held on June 9 the Royals selected RHP Aaron Crow with the 12th overall selection. Crow attended the University of Missouri, was born in nearby Topeka, Kansas, and was a longtime Royals fan prior to being selected with the team.KC brings Crow home in Round 1 http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5227474&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com June 9, 2009 June 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090613033400/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5227474&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 13, 2009 dead That same day, the Royals' defense and bullpen allowed eight unanswered runs to the Indians in an 8–4 loss.Royals cough up late lead to Indians http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5226808&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Ellsesser Stephen MLB.com June 9, 2009 June 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20100120163304/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5226808&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc January 20, 2010 dead The loss dropped the Royals to fifth place in the American League Central. Roster 2009 Kansas City Royals Roster Pitchers 49 John Bale 19 Brian Bannister 52 Bruce Chen 56 Román Colón 37 Juan Cruz 28 Kyle Davies 41 Lenny DiNardo 40 Kyle Farnsworth 23 Zack Greinke 44 Luke Hochevar 31 Dusty Hughes 54 Anthony Lerew 32 Ron Mahay 47 Víctor Marté 55 Gil Meche 47 Sidney Ponson 52 Horacio Ramírez 53 Carlos Rosa 48 Joakim Soria 51 Robinson Tejeda 45 Doug Waechter 34 Jamey Wright 57 Yasuhiko Yabuta Catchers 14 John Buck 21 Miguel Olivo 27 Brayan Peña Infielders 30 Mike Avilés  3 Yuniesky Betancourt 16 Billy Butler 13 Alberto Callaspo  4 Alex Gordon 46 Luis Hernández  7 Tug Hulett 17 Mike Jacobs  1 Tony Peña Jr. 24 Mark Teahen Outfielders  1 Josh Anderson  8 Willie Bloomquist  2 Coco Crisp  9 David DeJesus 26 Ryan Freel 11 José Guillén 35 Mitch Maier Manager 22 Trey Hillman Coaches 12 John Gibbons (bench) 18 Rusty Kuntz (first base) 33 Bob McClure (pitching) 50 John Mizerock (bullpen)  6 Dave Owen (third base) 36 Kevin Seitzer (hitting) Game log background:#6E8B3D 2009 game log y background:#9EBD69; April (12–10) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | || April 6 || @ White Sox || colspan=6 |Postponed |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 7 || @ White Sox || 4–2 || Dotel (1–0) || Farnsworth (0–1) || Jenks (1) || 37,449 || 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 2 || April 8 || @ White Sox || 2–0 || Greinke (1–0) || Floyd (0–1) || Soria (1) || 22,817 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || April 9 || @ White Sox || 2–1 || Mahay (1–0) || Jenks (0–1) || Soria (2) || 18,091 || 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 10 || Yankees || 4–1 || Pettitte (1–0) || Ponson (0–1) || Rivera (1) || 38,098 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 11 || Yankees || 6–1 || Sabathia (1–1) || Ramírez (0–1) || || 31,271 || 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 6 || April 12 || Yankees || 6–4 || Cruz (1–0) || Coke (0–1) || Soria (3) || 17,629 || 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 13 || Indians || 4–2 || Greinke (2–0) || Carmona (0–2) || Soria (4) || 10,061 || 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 8 || April 14 || Indians || 9–3 || Davies (1–0) || Pavano (0–2) || || 11,756 || 5–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 15 || Indians || 5–4 || Lewis (1–0) || Farnsworth (0–2) || Wood (1) || 13,589 || 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 10 || April 17 || @ Rangers || 12–3 || Meche (1–0) || Harrison (0–2) || || 24,062 || 6–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 11 || April 18 || @ Rangers || 2–0 || Greinke (3–0) || Millwood (1–1) || || 37,635 || 7–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 19 || @ Rangers || 6–5 || Francisco (1–0) || Farnsworth (0–3) || || 27,635 || 7–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 13 || April 21 || @ Indians || 8–7 || Laffey (1–0) || Ponson (0–2) || Wood (2) || 11,408 || 7–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 22 || @ Indians || 2–0 || Bannister (1–0) || Lee (1–3) || Soria (5) || 13,509 || 8–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 23 || @ Indians || 5–2 || Lewis (2–2) || Meche (1–1) || Wood (3) || 12,852 || 8–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 24 || Tigers || 6–1 || Greinke (4–0) || Porcello (1–2) || || 36,363 || 9–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 25 || Tigers || 9–1 || Miner (2–1) || Davies (1–1) || || 37,647 || 9–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 26 || Tigers || 3–2 || Galarraga (3–0) || Ponson (0–3) || Rodney (4) || 13,520 || 9–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 19 || April 27 || Blue Jays || 7–1 || Bannister (2–0) || Purcey (0–2) || || 9,685 || 10–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 28 || Blue Jays || 8–1 || Richmond (3–0) || Meche (1–2) || || 15,191 || 10–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || April 29 || Blue Jays || 11–3 || Greinke (5–0) || Tallet (1–1) || || 10,619 || 11–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 22 || April 30 || Blue Jays || 8–6 || Davies (2–1) || Burres (0–2) || Cruz (1) || 11,896 || 12–10 |- y background:#9EBD69; May (11–17) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || May 1 || @ Twins || 7–5 || Slowey (4–0) || Ponson (0–4) || Nathan (4) || 24,727 || 12–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24 || May 2 || @ Twins || 10–7 (11) || Soria (1–0) || Breslow (0–1) || || 29,061 || 13–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25 || May 3 || @ Twins || 7–5 || Meche (2–2) || Baker (0–4) || Soria (6) || 31,845 || 14–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 26 || May 4 || White Sox || 3–0 || Greinke (6–0) || Colón (2–2) || || 21,843 || 15–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || May 5 || White Sox || 8–7 (11) || Cruz (2–0) || Broadway (0–1) || || 13,419 || 16–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 28 || May 6 || Mariners || 9–1 || Ponson (1–4) || Silva (1–3) || || 15,324 || 17–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 7 || Mariners || 3–1 || Bannister (3–0) || Washburn (3–2) || Soria (7) || 32,714 || 18–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 8 || @ Angels || 4–1 || Palmer (3–0) || Meche (2–3) || Fuentes (8) || 41,019 || 18–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 9 || @ Angels || 1–0 || Saunders (5–1) || Greinke (6–1) || || 39,776 || 18–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 32 || May 10 || @ Angels || 4–3 || Shields (1–2) || Wright (0–1) || Fuentes (9) || 43,646 || 18–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 12 || @ Athletics || 12–3 || Cahill (2–2) || Hochevar (0–1) || || 10,156 || 18–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 13 || @ Athletics || 7–2 || Outman (1–0) || Bannister (3–1) || || 16,057 || 18–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 14 || Orioles || 9–5 || Guthrie (3–3) || Meche (2–4) || || 24,431 || 18–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 36 || May 15 || Orioles || 8–1 || Greinke (7–1) || Eaton (2–4) || || 38,353 || 19–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 16 || Orioles || 3–2 || Hill (1–0) || Davies (2–2) || Sherrill (7) || 26,720 || 19–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || May 17 || Orioles || 7–4 || Cruz (3–0) || Johnson (2–2) || || 22,791 || 20–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 39 || May 19 || Indians || 6–5 || Farnsworth (1–3) || Wood (1–2) || || 25,024 || 21–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 20 || Indians || 6–5 || Laffey (3–0) || Ponson (1–5) || Wood (6) || 19,652 || 21–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 21 || Indians || 8–3 || Pavano (4–4) || Ramírez (0–2) || Betancourt (1) || 23,095 || 21–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 22 || @ Cardinals || 5–0 || Wellemeyer (4–4) || Davies (2–3) || || 43,429 || 21–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 23 || @ Cardinals || 5–0 || Lohse (4–3) || Hochevar (0–2) || || 43,829 || 21–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || May 24 || @ Cardinals || 3–2 || Bannister (4–1) || Piñeiro (5–4) || Cruz (2) || 44,213 || 22–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 45 || May 25 || Tigers || 13–1 || Verlander (5–2) || Meche (2–5) || || 34,524 || 22–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 26 || Tigers || 6–1 || Greinke (8–1) || Jackson (4–3) || || 16,366 || 23–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 27 || Tigers || 8–3 || Porcello (6–3) || Davies (2–4) || || 16,568 || 23–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 48 || May 29 || White Sox || 11–2 || Richard (2–0) || Bannister (4–2) || || 26,495 || 23–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 30 || White Sox || 5–3 || Linebrink (2–2) || Cruz (3–1) || Jenks (11) || 37,894 || 23–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 31 || White Sox || 7–4 || Thornton (2–1) || Bale (0–1) || Jenks (12) || 19,855 || 23–27 |- y background:#9EBD69; June (10–16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || June 2 || @ Rays || 6–2 || Sonnanstine (4–5) || Davies (2–5) || || 13,604 || 23–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 52 || June 3 || @ Rays || 9–0 || Niemann (5–4) || Bannister (4–3) || || 15,256 || 23–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 53 || June 4 || @ Rays || 3–2 || Shields (5–4) || Wright (0–2) || Howell (2) || 16,103 || 23–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 5 || @ Blue Jays || 9–3 || Romero (3–2) || Greinke (8–2) || || 15,435 || 23–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 55 || June 6 || @ Blue Jays || 6–2 || Hochevar (1–2) || Richmond (4–3) || || 16,552 || 24–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 56 || June 7 || @ Blue Jays || 4–0 || Halladay (10–1) || Davies (2–6) || || 21,071 || 24–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 9 || @ Indians || 8–4 || Pérez (1–1) || Cruz (3–2) || || 15,038 || 24–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 58 || June 10 || @ Indians || 9–0 || Meche (3–5) || Pavano (6–5) || || 16,257 || 25–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 11 || @ Indians || 4–3 (10) || Herges (2–0) || Farnsworth (1–4) || || 14,342 || 25–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 60 || June 12 || Reds || 4–1 || Hochevar (2–2) || Maloney (0–1) || || 32,959 || 26–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 61 || June 13 || Reds || 7–4 || Davies (3–6) || Arroyo (7–5) || || 29,574 || 27–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 62 || June 14 || Reds || 7–1 || Bannister (5–3) || Cueto (6–4) || || 24,525 || 28–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 63 || June 16 || Diamondbacks || 5–0 || Meche (4–5) || Davis (3–8) || || 26,974 || 29–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 17 || Diamondbacks || 12–5 || Scherzer (4–4) || Greinke (8–3) || || 29,777 || 29–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 18 || Diamondbacks || 12–5 || Haren (6–4) || Hochevar (2–3) || || 14,129 || 29–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 66 || June 19 || Cardinals || 10–5 || Thompson (2–2) || Davies (3–7) || || 37,660 || 29–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 20 || Cardinals || 7–1 || Carpenter (5–1) || Bannister (5–4) || Franklin (17) || 38,769 || 29–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 21 || Cardinals || 12–5 || Wainwright (8–4) || Meche (4–6) || || 33,805 || 29–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 69 || June 23 || @ Astros || 2–1 || Greinke (9–3) || Ortiz (3–3) || Soria (8) || 30,049 || 30–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 70 || June 24 || @ Astros || 4–3 || Soria (2–0) || Fulchino (2–3) || Bale (1) || 28,602 || 31–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 71 || June 25 || @ Astros || 5–4 || Wright (2–1) || Bannister (5–5) || Valverde (6) || 32,048 || 31–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 26 || @ Pirates || 5–3 || Vasquez (1–0) || Meche (4–7) || Capps (17) || 18,458 || 31–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 27 || @ Pirates || 6–2 || Maholm (5–4) || Chen (0–1) || || 36,032 || 31–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 74 || June 28 || @ Pirates || 3–2 || Greinke (10–3) || Morton (0–1) || Soria (9) || 25,888 || 32–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 75 || June 29 || Twins || 4–2 || Hochevar (3–3) || Blackburn (6–4) || Soria (10) || 22,066 || 33–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 30 || Twins || 2–1 || Baker (6–6) || Bannister (5–6) || Nathan (20) || 19,310 || 33–43 |- y background:#9EBD69; July (7–19) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || July 1 || Twins || 5–1 || Perkins (4–4) || Meche (4–8) || Nathan (21) || 18,906 || 33–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || July 2 || White Sox || 4–1 || Buehrle (8–2) || Chen (0–2) || Jenks (19) || 17,964 || 33–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 79 || July 3 || White Sox || 5–0 || Danks (7–6) ||Greinke (10–4) || Linebrink (2) || 39,026 || 33–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 80 || July 4 || White Sox || 6–4 || Hochevar (4–3) || Floyd (6–6) || Soria (11) || 18,182 || 34–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81 || July 5 || White Sox || 6–3 || Bannister (6–6) || Richard (3–2) || Soria (12) || 15,915 || 35–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 82 || July 6 || @ Tigers || 4–3 || Colón (1–0) || Rodney (0–2) || Soria (13) || 32,134 || 36–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 83 || July 7 || @ Tigers || 8–5 || Verlander (9–4) || Chen (0–3) || Rodney (18) || 29,751 || 36–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 8 || @ Tigers || 3–1 || French (1–0) || Greinke (10–5) || Rodney (19) || 29,104 || 36–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 85 || July 9 || @ Red Sox || 8–4 || Hochevar (5–3) || Masterson (3–3) || Soria (14) || 38,189 || 37–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 10 || @ Red Sox || 1–0 || Lester (8–6) || Bannister (6–7) || Papelbon (23) || 38,116 || 37–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 11 || @ Red Sox || 15–9 || Smoltz (1–2) || Meche (4–9) || || 37,825 || 37–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 12 || @ Red Sox || 6–0 || Beckett (11–3) || Chen (0–4) || || 37,612 || 37–51 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 17 || Rays || 8–7 || Nelson (3–0) || Cruz (3–3) || Howell (7) || 33,568 || 37–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 18 || Rays || 4–2 || Bradford (1–0) || Cruz (3–4) || || 30,288 || 37–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 91 || July 19 || Rays || 4–3 || Balfour (4–1) || Wright (0–3) || Howell (9) || 18,934 || 37–54 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | | || July 20 || Angels || colspan=6 |Postponed (rain); Rescheduled for July 21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 21 || Angels || 8–5 || Santana (3–5) || Ponson (1–6) || Fuentes (29) || N/A || 37–55 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 21 || Angels || 10–2 || O'Sullivan (3–0) || Chen (0–5) || || 23,874 || 37–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 22 || Angels || 9–6 || Speier (4–2) || Colón (1–1) || Fuentes (30) || 18,078 || 37–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 24 || Rangers || 2–0 || Feldman (9–3) || Greinke (10–6) || Wilson (10) || 25,012 || 37–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 96 || July 25 || Rangers || 6–3 || Hochevar (6–3) || Holland (3–6) || Soria (15) || 27,602 || 38–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 26 || Rangers || 7–2 || Nippert (3–0) || Mahay (1–1) || || 16,847 || 38–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 98 || July 27 || @ Orioles || 5–3 || Tejeda (1–0) || Albers (1–4) || Soria (16) || 15,169 || 39–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 99 || July 28 || @ Orioles || 4–3 (11) || Wright (1–3) || Báez (4–4) || Soria (17) || 21,545 || 40–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 29 || @ Orioles || 7–3 || Albers (2–4) || Tejeda (1–1) || Johnson (2) || 19,741 || 40–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 101 || July 30 || @ Orioles || 7–3 || Bergesen (7–5) || Hochevar (6–4) || || 19,194 || 40–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 31 || @ Rays || 8–2 || Price (4–4) || Ponson (1–7) || || 26,596 || 40–62 |- y background:#9EBD69; August (10–19) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || August 1 || @ Rays || 7–1 || Niemann (10–5) || Chen (0–6) || || 36,973 || 40–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 104 || August 2 || @ Rays || 4–1 || Bannister (7–7) || Shields (6–8) || Soria (18) || 27,930 || 41–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || August 3 || @ Rays || 10–4 || Kazmir (6–6) || Greinke (10–7) || || 24,219 || 41–64 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 106 || August 4 || Mariners || 7–6 || Kelley (3–1) || Wright (1–4) || Aardsma (26) || 15,057 || 41–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 5 || Mariners || 11–6 || French (2–2) || Davies (3–8) || || 27,805 || 41–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 108 || August 6 || Mariners || 8–2 || Chen (1–6) || Vargas (3–6) || || 15,103 || 42–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || August 7 || Athletics || 9–4 || Mazzaro (3–8) || Bannister(7–8) || || 21,918 || 42–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 110 || August 8 || Athletics || 12–6 || Greinke (11–7) || Mortensen(0–1) || || 29,818 || 43–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 111 || August 9 || Athletics || 6–3 || Anderson (7–8) || Hochevar (6–5) || Bailey (16) || 19,439 || 43–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 112 || August 11 || @ Twins || 14–6 || Davies (4–8) || Blackburn (8–7) || || 32,121 || 44–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 12 || @ Twins || 7–1 || Liriano (5–11) || Bannister (7–9) || || 30,105 || 44–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 114 || August 13 || @ Twins || 5–4 || Meche (5–9) || Pavano (10–9) || Soria (19) || 32,373 || 45–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 115 || August 14 || @ Tigers || 1–0 || Lyon (5–4) || Colón (1–2) || || 34,799 || 45–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 116 || August 15 || @ Tigers || 0–3 || Jackson (6–6) || Hochevar (9–5) || || 37,276 || 45–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 117 || August 16 || @ Tigers || 3–2 (10) || Soria (3–0) || Rodney (2–3) || || 32,888 || 46–71 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 118 || August 17 || @ White Sox || 8–7 || Linebrink (3–5) || Colón (1–3) || Jenks (25) || 36,703 || 46–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 119 || August 18 || @ White Sox || 4–5 || Meche (6–9) || García (0–1) || Soria (20) || 28,812 || 47–72 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 120 || August 19 || @ White Sox || 4–2 || Contreras (5–11) || Greinke (11–8) || Jenks (26) || 25,786 || 47–73 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || August 21 || Twins || 5–4 || Nathan (2–1) || Soria (3–1) || || 22,283 || 47–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 122 || August 22 || Twins || 8–7 || Duensing (1–1) || Davies (4–9) || Guerrier (1) || 33,811 || 47–75 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 23 || Twins || 10–3 || Pavano (11–9) || Bannister (7–10) || || 18,680 || 47–76 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 24 || Indians || 10–6 || Sowers (5–9) || Soria (3–2) || || 11,101 || 47–77 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 125 || August 25 || Indians || 6–2 || Greinke (12–8) || Masterson (4–5) || || 17,353 || 47–78 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 126 || August 26 || Indians || 4–2 || Huff (8–7) || Hochevar (6–7) || Wood (16) || 10,751 || 48–78 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 127 || August 27 || @ Mariners || 8–4 || Davies (5–9) || Fister (1–1) || || 19,345 || 49–78 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || August 28 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Hernández (13–5) || Bannister (7–11) || Aardsma (31) || 26,714 || 49–79 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || August 29 || @ Mariners || 8–4 || Snell (5–9) || Meche (6–10) || || 26,457 || 49–80 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 130 || August 30 || @ Mariners || 3–0 || Greinke (13–8) || Rowland-Smith (2–2) || || 30,286 || 50–80 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 131 || August 31 || @ Athletics || 8–5 || Breslow (6–7) || Hochevar (6–8) || Bailey (21) || 10,376 || 50–81 |- y background:#9EBD69; September (14–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 132 || September 1 || @ Athletics || 4–3 || Davies (6–9) || Marshall (0–2) || Soria (21) || 10,039 || 51–81 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || September 2 || @ Athletics || 10–4 || Cahill (8–12) || Bannister (7–12) || || 13,920 || 51–82 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || September 4 || Angels || 2–1 || Weaver (14–5) || Wright (1–5) || Fuentes (38) || 17,447 || 51–83 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || September 5 || Angels || 2–1 (11) || Jepsen (5–3) || Yabuta (0–1) || Fuentes (39) || 22,628 || 51–84 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 136 || September 6 || Angels || 7–2 || Saunders (12–7) || Hochevar (6–9) || || 16,745 || 51–85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 137 || September 7 || Angels || 6–3 || Davies (7–9) || Santana (7–8) || Soria (22) || 18,453 || 52–85 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 137 || September 8 || Tigers || 7–5 || Yabuta (1–1) || Seay (5–3) || Soria (23) || 12,032|| 53–85 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 138 || September 9 || Tigers || 5–1 || Tejeda (2–1) || Verlander (16–8) || Soria (24) ||10,584 || 54–85 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 139 || September 10 || Tigers || 7–4 || Colón (2–3) || Miner (6–5) || Rosa (1)|| 12,029 || 55–85 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 141 || September 11 || @ Indians || 2–1 || Wright (2–5) || Veras (4–3) || Soria (25) || 26,006 || 56–85 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 142 || September 12 || @ Indians || 13–6 || Huff (10–7) || Hochevar (6–10) || || 24,842 || 56–86 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 143 || September 13 || @ Indians || 7–0 || Davies (8–9) || Carrasco (0–2) || || 21,153 || 57–86 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 144 || September 15 || @ Tigers || 11–1 || Tejeda (3–1) || Washburn (9–9) || || 20,422 || 58–86 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 145 || September 16 || @ Tigers || 4–3 || Miner (7–5) || DiNardo (0–1) || Rodney (33)|| 25,400 || 58–87 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 146 || September 17 || @ Tigers || 9–2 || Greinke (14–8)|| Jackson (12–7) || || 26,457 || 59–87 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 147 || September 18 || @ White Sox || 11–0 || Hochevar (7–10) || Buehrle (12–9) || || 29,179 || 62–87 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 148 || September 19 || @ White Sox || 13–3 || Peavy (1–0) || Hughes (0–1) || || 28,329 || 60–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 149 || September 20 || @ White Sox || 2–1 || Tejeda (4–1) || García (2–3) || Soria (26) || 22,798 || 61–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 150 || September 21 || Red Sox || 12–9 || Yabuta (2–1) || Bard (2–2) || Soria (27) || 16,770 || 62–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 151 || September 22 || Red Sox || 5–1 || Greinke (15–8) || Byrd (1–2) || Soria (28) || 21,228 || 63–88 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 23 || Red Sox || 9–2 || Beckett (16–6) || Hochevar (7–11) || || 18,989 || 63–89 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 24 || Red Sox || 10–3 || Buchholz (7–3) || Lerew (0–1) || || 20,807 || 63–90 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 25 || Twins || 9–4 || Pavano (13–11) || Tejeda (4–2) || || 23,307 || 63–91 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 26 || Twins || 11–6 || Baker (14–9) || DiNardo (0–2) || || 30,690 || 63–92 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 156 || September 27 || Twins || 4–1 || Greinke (16–8) || Liriano (5–13) || Soria (29) || 28,721 || 64–92 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 28 || @ Yankees || 8–2 || Gaudin (2–0) || Hochevar (7–12) || || 45,348 || 64–93 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 29 || @ Yankees || 4–3 || Bruney (5–0) || Farnsworth (1–5) || || 44,794 || 64–94 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 159 || September 30 || @ Yankees || 4–3 || Wright (3–5) || Marte (1–3) || Soria (30) || 46,956 || 65–94 |- y background:#9EBD69; October (0–3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 160 || October 2 || @ Twins || 10–7 || Manship (1–1) || DiNardo (0–3) || Nathan (46) || 40,223 || 65–95 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 161 || October 3 || @ Twins || 5–4 || Rauch (5–1) || Hughes (0–2) || Nathan (47) || 48,644 || 65–96 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 162 || October 4 || @ Twins || 13–4 || Pavano (14–12) || Hochevar (7–13) || || 51,155 || 65–97 |- Please do not edit this line: OgreBot End--> Player stats Batting Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI AVG SB(C) Miguel Olivo11439051971552365.2495(1B) Billy Butler159608781835112193.3011(2B) Alberto Callaspo155576791734181173.3002(SS) Yuniesky Betancourt712462559105427.2400(3B) Mark Teahen144524691423411250.2718(LF) David DeJesus144558741572891371.2814(CF) Mitch Maier1273414283153331.2439(RF) José Guillén81281306880940.2421(DH) Mike Jacobs12843446991611961.2280(UT) Willie Bloomquist12543452115118429.26525(CF) Coco Crisp49180304185314.22813(C) John Buck591861646124836.2471(3B) Alex Gordon49164283860622.2325(C) Brayan Peña641651745100618.2730(SS) Mike Avilés 3612010223118.1831(CF) Josh Anderson4411820283018.23712(SS) Luis Hernández37734151004.2051(SS) Tony Peña Jr.4051351002.0980(OF) Ryan Freel18458112003.2440(UT) Tug Hulett1518420001.1110Pitcher totals16220031001.1500Team totals1625532686143227651144657.25988 Pitching Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts Player W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER BB SO(SP) Zack Greinke1682.1633330229.1195646551242(SP) Brian Bannister7124.7326260154.016194815098(SP) Luke Hochevar7136.55 25250143.016710910446106(SP) Gil Meche6105.0923230 129.014481735895(SP) Kyle Davies895.2722220123.012276726686(CL) Joakim Soria322.214703053.04414131669(RP) Jamey Wright354.33650079.07351384460(RP) Juan Cruz345.72460250.14634322938(RP) Román Colón234.83430050.15027272229(RP) John Bale015.72430128.13419181824Robinson Tejeda 423.54356073.24330295087Bruce Chen165.78179062.17442402532Sidney Ponson177.36149058.27950482532Ron Mahay114.79410041.15526221934Kyle Farnsworth154.58410037.14322191442Horacio Ramírez025.96191022.22716151113Lenny DiNardo0310.1355021.1412824158Dusty Hughes025.1481014.01398815Yasuhiko Yabuta2113.50120014.029212179Anthony Lerew014.0532013.1148687Víctor Marte008.2580012.0131211127Carlos Rosa003.3870110.2104434Doug Waechter008.445005.195533Team totals65974.83162162341426.014868427656001153 Awards and honors Player of the weekApril 13–19: Zack Greinke, shared with Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers).Greinke, Kinsler AL Co-Players of the Week http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090420&content_id=4353780&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Sanchez Jamie MLB.com April 20, 2009 April 20, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090607064841/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090420&content_id=4353780&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb June 7, 2009 dead Pitcher of the monthApril: Zack Greinke.Greinke tops among AL hurlers in April http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090505&content_id=4571458&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 5, 2009 May 5, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090605080852/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090505&content_id=4571458&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc June 5, 2009 dead mdy-all Pepsi clutch performer of the monthApril: Zack Greinke.Greinke voted April's Pepsi Cluth winner http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090507&content_id=4603492&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Kaegel Dick MLB.com May 7, 2009 May 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090511190633/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090507&content_id=4603492&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc May 11, 2009 dead Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Omaha Royals Pacific Coast League Mike Jirschele AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals Texas League Brian Poldberg A Wilmington Blue Rocks Carolina League Brian Rupp A Burlington Bees Midwest League Jim Gabella Rookie Burlington Royals Appalachian League Nelson Liriano Rookie AZL Royals Arizona League Julio Bruno Rookie Idaho Falls Chukars Pioneer League Darryl Kennedy ReferencesKansas City Royals:' Official web site External links 2009 Kansas City Royals official site 2009 KC Royals at Baseball Reference 2009 Kansas City Royals at Baseball Reference Kansas City Royals Category:Kansas City Royals seasons Category:2009 in sports in Missouri