World Series notes: Aoki back in Royals’ lineup
Nori Aoki will return to right field and Billy Butler to the designated-hitter spot for the Royals as the scene shifts to Kauffman Stadium. Both players were used in a reserve or pinch-hitting role in the games at San Francisco. Aoki went to the bench for Jarrod Dyson to provide more speed in the spacious AT&T outfield, and without the DH in the National League park, Butler had only one pinch hit appearance.
Royals manager Ned Yost said he hadn’t decided on a batting order and was wrestling with the idea of moving up third baseman Mike Moustakas, who had been hitting ninth in the playoffs until the last three games, when he batted fifth twice and sixth.
“I’m debating,” Yost said. “I don’t know if Moose is going to hit ninth or not. We might move Moose up because he’s swing the bat better, but we might not.”
More Bumgarner? — Giants manager Bruce Bochy expects to hear from Madison Bumgarner that he’s available for duty on Tuesday, one rest day after throwing a 117-pitch masterpiece in the complete game 5-0 victory in game five.
“Oh, I’m sure he’s going to say he’s OK,” Bochy said. “He’s going to say, “If you need me at any point tomorrow, please use me.’ He’s done that before. He really bounces back well, and we wouldn’t ask him to do a lot, but if I needed to get an out or something, I’m sure he’ll say he’s available.”
Pence impressive — Yost’s admiration for the Giants’ Hunter Pence, the leading hitter in the World Series with a .474 average, has grown.
“He is so funky with that swing…he’s just got a very unique swing, but his hand-eye coordination is phenomenal.” Yost said. “His ability to hit pitches that aren’t strikes is way above average, and he puts the bat head on the ball. He’s tremendously strong.
“You sure wouldn’t teach anybody his swing. But this guy, every time he walks up I’m just hoping we can get him out and he can go sit down for another eight guys.”
All in the family — Sitting in front of reporters in an interview room can make a subject nervous. But not fifth-grader Wyatt Jackson Peavy.
He joined his father, game-six starter for the Giants’ Jake Peavy and younger brother Judson Lee, at the table and responded to questions with refreshing honesty.
For instance, the Peavy duck boat controversy.
Jake Peavy was part of the Red Sox’s World Series championship last season, and the team rode duck boats in Boston during the victory parade. The boat is a World War II-style amphibious landing vehicle that tours the city on wheels and then splashes into the river to continue the tour.
Peavy bought a duck boat, but there’s an issue with the upkeep.
“Well, my dad keeps saying he’s going to get the duck boat painted, but right now it’s covered in mildew at our baseball field,” Wyatt Peavy said.
Busted.
This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 7:59 AM with the headline "World Series notes: Aoki back in Royals’ lineup."