(SportsNetwork.com) – Edinson Volquez got himself into some trouble in the
opener of Kansas City’s series with the Chicago White Sox, but he’ll be on the
hill Sunday when the Royals complete this now weather abbreviated three-game
series.
Before Volquez takes the hill, though, these teams will need to complete
Friday’s contest that was suspended after eight innings with the score tied at
2-2.
The game was supposed to be finished prior to Saturday’s scheduled matchup,
but rain caused a postponement.
Volquez, meanwhile, was one of five players ejected from a wild brawl on
Thursday that saw him miss with a wild punch aimed in the direction of
Chicago’s Jeff Samardzija.
On Saturday, the punishment from that fracas was doled out by Major League
Baseball and Volquez was one of four Royals suspended, as he received a five-
game ban. Starting pitcher Yordano Ventura received a seven-game suspension
with reliever Kelvin Herrera and outfielder Lorenzo Cain each getting two-game
suspensions.
Chicago starting pitchers Chris Sale and Samardzija were each suspended five
games.
Regardless, Volquez, who will appeal his punishment, has been tremendous in
his three starts for the Royals, going 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA. He defeated
Minnesota on Monday and held them to a run and five hits in seven innings.
“I think my fastball was better tonight,” said Volquez, who is 1-1 with a 4.26
ERA in two career starts versus the White Sox. “I didn’t have my changeup
tonight. I didn’t have my best stuff.
“I had good command. I located my pitches better because I knew I didn’t have
my best stuff.”
Chicago, meanwhile, will counter with lefty John Danks, who is 0-2 with a 6.06
ERA. Danks did not get a decision on Monday against Cleveland, but had his
best outing of the season, as he allowed three runs and six hits – three
homers – over six innings in his team’s 4-3 win.
Danks has faced the Royals 17 times and is 7-1 against them with a 2.63 ERA.
The Royals swept a three-game set at home versus the White Sox from April 6-9
and have won 15 of the last 18 meetings.
