KC @ LAA 5/9/09

LAA 1 KC 0

Joe Saunders LHP Angels 9IP 5H 1BB 6K
He out dueled the front runner for the AL Cy Young by mixing all four of his pitches. FB(87-93) is above average and has good movement; His CH(80-83) he didn't throw until the fifth inning and then only threw to RH Hitters low and away, it is an average offering; CB(71-76) is a big looping 12-6 curve and is above average. He mainly worked FB/CB for the first four innings; His SL (77-82) is average and he'll throw to any hitter. He has plus command and is a solid #2 starter.

Zack Greinke RHP Royals 8IP 4H 1ER 5K
He didn't have his "best" stuff in this game and had to work hard mixing up his pitches. His FB(87-96) had good arm side run and he slowed it down at times to locate when he needed to make a pitch; SL(83-87) wasn't as sharp as normal and looked average (although it is normally a Plus offering); CB(71-76) (81-83) He mixed up the speed of his breaking ball depending on the situation. He would throw the slower one as a get me over pitch and to keep hitters honest from cheating on his FB because his SL wasn't as sharp as normal; CH(78-80) He threw exclusively to RH Hitters. It has great arm side run. He was able to pound the strike zone with all of his offerings even though he couldn't command his slider as well as the other pitches. He gave up two Extra Base Hits to Lefties on inside breaking balls that sped up their bats. He pitched well enough to win, but was beat by a very good pitcher.