Royals 6, Sox 5 (6)
Catchers shine
Catcher Yermin Mercedes is doing what he can to soften his reputation as an offensive catcher. Mercedes threw out Michael Taylor — with an assist from Danny Mendick on a Javy Baez like tag — trying to steal and made a sliding catch of a foul pop-up near the first base coach’s box.
Mercedes also had an RBI single and lined into an inning-ending double play (Eloy Jimenez was caught off second). And he was charged with an error for hitting Taylor at first on pickoff attempt, allowing a run.
Catcher Zack Collins, getting at-bats as a DH, lined a homer to center and lined a sinking liner off shortstop Nicky Lopez’ glove for a single.
Depth chart
Yasmani Grandal, still out with a sore knee, is the team’s No. 1 and veteran Jonathan Lucroy probably has the inside track on the No. 2. The injury to Grandal is a reminder of the value Mercedes and Collins could provide waiting in the wings.
“It’s a very deep catching situation, one of the deepest I’ve seen,” said manager Tony La Russa, who also mentioned Seby Zavala as part of the group. But carrying three catchers would knock an extra infielder or outfielder off the roster and probably isn’t be in the plans, La Russa said.
Six straight walks — after two outs
La Russa (now 0-2-2 in his first four Cactus League games) brought lefty Kodi Medeiros as a pitching extra to avoid rolling over innings with less than three outs — which he nor Royals manager Mike Matheny employed. Medeiros wasn’t needed even though Sox pitchers combined for eight walks, including six in row with three each by right-hander Tyler Johnson and lefty Jacob Lindgren.
On deck
Sox at Giants, 2:05 p.m., Thursday, Scottsdale, Lance Lynn vs. Alex Wood. Friday, Jonathan Stiever vs. Mariners; Saturday, Reynaldo Lopez at Indians.
