--OF Jose Guillen was scratched from the lineup with back spasms. Manager Trey Hillman said Guillen worked out three consecutive days in a batting cage in Las Vegas during the All-Star break. "It just started (having spasms) in the middle of the night and carried over into (Friday) morning," Hillman said. Esteban German replaced Guillen in left.

--RHP Leo Nunez threw two perfect innings Thursday night for Class AA Northwest Arkansas against Arkansas on a rehab assignment. He threw 21 pitches, 16 for strikes, with his velocity hitting as high as 96 mph. Nunez, who has been out since May 27 with a strained lat, could come off the disabled list Monday when the Royals open a homestand.

--LHP John Bale, who is also on a minor league rehab assignment, threw 2/3s of an inning Thursday night for Northwest Arkansas and allowed one run on three hits. He threw 16 pitches. The plan is for Bale to continue his rehabbing with Class AAA Omaha and be able to work two innings before being activated. He went on the disabled list in April with a fatigued shoulder and then broke his left hand, reportedly hitting a hotel door in Cleveland.

--3B Alex Gordon went 0-for-3 and continues to slump. In his past 10 games, he is hitting .158 (6-for-38) with one extra-base hit (a double) and three RBIs.

--LHP Jimmy Gobble failed to retire any of the three batters he faced Friday, walking two and hitting one.

"(Joel) Peralta was outstanding, (Robinson) Tejeda was very good... unfortunately, Gobble wasn't too good for us," Royals manager Trey Hillman said about his Friday night relievers.

BY THE NUMBERS
2,000 -- Career hits by 2B Mark Grudzielanek, joining 17 other active players to reach that milestone.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I kind of fist-pumped a little too early. I saw Ichiro (Suzuki) go back to the wall and I was like, 'Oh geez, it's not going to leave.' Then it went out and I was like all right. That was my first ever walk-off hit of any kind at any level. Once I got in there the guys were punching and banging the heck out of me. It was fun seeing all those guys around home plate. It was pretty cool." -- OF David DeJesus, after hitting a two-run walk-off homer with two out in the ninth in 5-4 victory over the Mariners Saturday.

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