The Royals were 7-1 winners over the Mariners yesterday, but it came at a price. Starting pitcher, Jose Lima, removed himself from the game in the sixth inning with a strained groin. Trainer Nick Schwarz said that Lima is day-to-day and will be re-evaluated today. A minor groin pull can keep a player out 5-7 days. Despite his early exit, Lima pitched well enough to earn the win, improving to 6-0.. He gave up five hits and one run with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Jason Grimsley, Curtis Leskanic and Sean Lowe allowed three hits, no walks and no runs the rest of the way. Raul Ibanez and Angel Berroa who drove in two runs apiece boosted the Royals at the plate. Ibanez hit a two-run double with two outs in the third inning to put Kansas City on top 2-0, while Berroa hit a solo homer in the fourth inning and drove in a run with an infield single in the sixth. The win gives the Royals a seven and a half game lead over the Twins and an eight-game advantage over the White Sox in the American League Central.
