MLB Standings
Kansas City Results
Highlights of the month:
23 September 118th win this is the most successful KC regular season ever; its appropriate that Ethan Chafin got the win (19th of the season) with Dan Nichols getting the save in a 1-0 victory
25 September the Royals become the greatest regular season team in history with a 12-3 win @ Washington
27 September Kansas City record the first 120-win season in regular season history with a 5-4 road win against Washington
Kansas City Statistics
Bobby Nickelberry was at the top of the hit parade in the American League throughout September. For the outstanding month, the talented Kansas City right fielder was chosen the Batter of the Month.
He compiled a .449 average with 44 hits, 6 home runs, 27 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
This year, Nickelberry is hitting .360 with 44 home runs and 138 RBIs to his credit. He has gotten on base at a .395 clip and scored 115 runs.
His goal at twenty was to win twenty games one year, pitch until he was thirty, win the league pennant and to make some money. Well, Dan Nichols did something even better -- the 41-year-old Kansas City Royals star has now won 200 games in his career. That put him in a very select group of pitchers.
He joined that exclusive club today at Minute Maid Park by whipping the Houston Astros 2-1, holding them to 2 hits in 2 innings while chalking up 2 strikeouts and no walks.
In the postgame interview, the modest Nichols said, "It's special to win 200 games. You don't do it by yourself. You do it with good stuff and a good bullpen. You are only as good as the guys behind you. Years from now I might look back on it and give myself a little pat on the back."
Over his career Nichols has a 200-140 won-lost record with a 3.32 ERA. In 794 games he has recorded 114 saves, and the 41-year-old has fanned 2902 batters in 2973.2 innings.
Transactions & Injuries
The Royals avoided major injuries during September with the only moves taking advantage of the roster expansion to give some Major League experience to players performing well in Omaha.
Saturday, September 1st , 2046
Purchased the contract of RP Bob Capozziello from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Eli Blyden from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Yoichiro Curtsinger from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SS Edgar Noriega from Triple A Omaha.
Placed 1B Robby Moll on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Purchased the contract of 1B Robby Moll from Triple A Omaha.
Placed CF Domingo Carrillo on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Purchased the contract of CF Domingo Carrillo from Triple A Omaha.
Minor League News
The Pitcher of the Month has been picked and the Texas League trophy went to Northwest Arkansas hurler Edgar Bernal for his strong performance in September.
During the month, Bernal was impressive with a 1.54 ERA and 3 wins and no losses. In 23.1 innings he struck out 18 and gave up 15 hits and 4 walks.
For the season, Bernal has a record of 6 wins and 3 losses in 24 appearances. He has an ERA of 1.61 and has fanned 61 batters in 61.1 innings.
Ken Crome of the Omaha Storm Chasers stood out in September with a .308 batting average against International League pitchers to land him the Batter of the Month award.
The 22-year-old center fielder totaled 10 home runs, 23 RBIs and 18 runs scored. He also chipped in 8 walks for a .382 on-base percentage.
For the season, Crome has produced 155 hits in 559 at-bats for a .277 average with 41 home runs and gotten on base at a .356 clip.
Mike Krebs was on top of the world in September, capping it off with the International League Pitcher of the Month honors.
The Omaha starter was superb in 3 starts with 3 wins and no losses, 22.1 innings pitched, 22 strikeouts and a fine 1.61 ERA.
His record this year is 16-5 in 30 starts and Krebs has a 3.79 ERA.