The short stint at Omaha appears to have worked for Brian Bannister. It’s also having the same affect on Luke Hochevar who has been the AAA equivalent to Zack Greinke.
Hochver threw eight innings allowing just five hits while striking out nine and finished with a 2-0 lead. However, the Memphis Redbirds strung three straight two out hits together off relievers Greg Atencio and Tim Hamulack, including Brandon Yarbrough’s game-tying single with two strikes, to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning.
Then the Redbirds got an RBI double from Nick Stavinoha in the top of the 10th to win it against Roman Colon (2-2).
How long will it be until Hochevar is pitching with AL pitcher of the month for April Zack Greinke in Kansas City? Greinke is 6-0 with a .50 ERA. Hochevar extended his scoreless innings streak to 21 and has not lost at the AAA level while posting a .90 ERA. The Royals wanted Hochevar to go to AAA to work on some of his pitches and it’s clear he’s ready for the next level.
Brian Bannister started down in Omaha, but since a call-up in mid-April, Bannister is 3-0 in KC. Could you imagine the rotation with Greinke, Bannister, and Hochevar working together with a team riding a six game win streak.
I understand Sidney Ponson pitched well this week, but it’s time to call up Hochevar and move Ponson to the bullpen for long relief.
