MLB Standings
This year’s pennant was clinched on 20 September in a 4-9 loss to Pittsburgh. The Royals finish the month 2 games short of 100 wins, and having collected a 7th consecutive AL Central title, remarkably only halfway to matching the Braves record from 1991-2005, and 17th all time.
Kansas City Results
Kansas City Statistics
In September, Gilberto Matos beat the baseball like a drum the entire month and netted the American League Batter of the Month award.
In 24 games the Kansas City first baseman hit .358 with 4 home runs, 17 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
So far in 2042 Matos is batting .315 with 24 home runs, 97 RBIs and 127 runs scored. He has 183 hits in 581 at-bats and a .412 OBP.
This month Bobby Nickelberry bashed, belted and battered just about every American League pitcher in his path as he put up some substantial numbers to win the Rookie of the Week honors.
Day in and day out throughout September, the Kansas City right fielder punished opposing teams with base hits, finishing with a .378 average. Nickelberry went 34-for-90 in 24 games with 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, and 19 runs scored.
Nickelberry has a .325 average and a .381 on-base percentage for the year. He has picked up 182 hits, 29 home runs and driven in 131 runs.
Kansas City fans had a lot to cheer about this week as right fielder Bobby Nickelberry brought home the American League Player of the Week trophy.
During his week-long batting binge he reeled off a .542 batting average, 13 hits and 2 home runs. Nickelberry also racked up 9 RBIs and scored 10 runs.
On the year, Nickelberry is hitting .327 with 182 hits, 29 home runs, 131 RBIs, .383 OBP and has scored 100 runs.
Ethan Chafin had an outstanding September -- so good that the American League presented him with the Pitcher of the Month Award earlier today.
"There's no way to know where the Royals would be without Chafin," one fan is quoted as saying.
In September Chafin dominated the competition, running up a 4-1 record, a 2.34 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 34.2 innings.
To date this season, Chafin sports a 4-1 mark with a 2.38 ERA in 7 starting assignments. He has held the opposition to a .184 batting average and has 40 strikeouts in 41.2 innings.
Dan Carrig kept the San Francisco Giants hitters from doing much damage at Kauffman Stadium.
San Francisco could only muster 2 hits and draw 1 walk against the left-handed Carrig, who controlled them throughout the game. Kansas City won the contest, 16-0. Carrig added 9 strikeouts in his complete-game effort.
"I don't know if I was on or if they were off today," Carrig told reporters after the shutout win. "But whatever it was, I hope it happens again next time."
Transactions & Injuries
Monday, September 1st , 2042
Purchased the contract of LF Andres Madrigal from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SS Tony Thompson from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Alvaro Baladez from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Bernalldino Caneas from Triple A Omaha.
Tuesday, September 2nd , 2042
Purchased the contract of SP Ethan Chafin from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Jonathan DePalmer from Triple A Omaha.
Wednesday, September 10th , 2042
Sent LF Billy Mumaugh to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Sunday, September 14th , 2042
Sent SP Joe Davis to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Friday, September 19th , 2042
Purchased the contract of LF Billy Mumaugh from Triple A Omaha.
CF Natalino Villa was injured being hit by a pitch. The Diagnosis: fractured wrist. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Saturday, September 27th , 2042
SP Joe Davis diagnosed with a torn back muscle, will miss 5 months.
The Royals aimed to take the pressure off their bullpen by adding several arms during September call ups, as well as giving a couple of extra batters so time in the Big Leagues.
Injury wise, it was a case of one step forward, one step back as Billy Mumaugh returned from injury but the Royals lost Natalino Villa for the season and welcomed back Ethan Chafin but Joe Davis tore a back muscle during his injury rehab.
Minor League News
The Midwest League has made it official -- Tim Panzica is the winner of the Batter of the Month trophy.
In September, the Quad Cities shortstop starred with a .375 batting average, 8 home runs and 12 RBIs. Panzica also had 9 walks, posted a .466 on-base percentage and scored 17 times.
So far this year, Panzica is batting .211 with 19 home runs, 58 RBIs and 68 runs scored.
Nelson Gallegos is the latest Texas League Pitcher of the Month award winner. The Northwest Arkansas starter stood out on the hill time and again last month and finished September with a sparkling 4-0 record.
In 4 starts last month, he fanned 31, walked 6 in 27 innings and posted a 2.67 ERA. Gallegos held opposing teams to a .238 batting average when he was on the mound.
For the season, Gallegos has a record of 7 wins and 3 losses in 10 appearances. He has an ERA of 4.79 and has fanned 69 batters in 62 innings.
The most recent International League Batter of the Month trophy was awarded to second baseman Luis Aceves of the Omaha Storm Chasers.
In September he stood head and shoulders above all other batters by hitting .404 with 14 home runs, 36 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
On the year, Aceves has hit .317 with 59 home runs, 165 RBIs and scored 135 runs.