--RHP Luke Hochevar (right elbow sprain) and RHP Brian Bannister (rotator cuff tendinitis) will each make at least one more rehab start with Class AAA Omaha before being activated and returning to the Royals next week, probably Sept. 8 at Minnesota. With both still on a restricted pitch count, manager Ned Yost said he plans to piggyback them for two starts, each pitching probably four innings, before splitting them up.

--RHP Gil Meche rejoined the Royals after making three relief appearances for Class AAA Omaha on a minor league injury rehab assignment. Meche will be activated Wednesday when rosters can be expanded to 40 and will be put in the bullpen. He threw two scoreless innings Saturday against Iowa, allowing one hit and striking out three in two innings. In three relief appearances, beginning Aug. 21, with Omaha, Meche allowed two hits and one run in 4 2/3 innings while walking two and striking out three.

--1B Billy Butler's ninth-inning single extended his streak to 94 consecutive series with at least one hit. OF Willie Wilson holds the club record, hitting in 96 consecutive series from 1979 to '81.

--RF Willie Bloomquist's second-inning infield single extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games. He is hitting .361 (13-for-36) in the streak.

--3B Mike Moustakas, the Royals' top hitting prospect and a 2007 first-round pick, was named the Texas League Player of the Year. Moustakas, who was promoted last month to Class AAA Omaha, celebrated by driving in 11 runs Monday night in a 23-5 victory over Round Rock. Moustakas went 4-for-6 with three home runs and a double and scored four runs.

--The Royals, who have lost five of their last seven, were blanked for the seventh time this season. Their three hits matched a season low. The last time they were limited to three hits was Aug. 2 at Oakland.

BY THE NUMBERS
16 -- Extra-inning games played by the Royals, the most in the American League this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's been a grind for us lately, but we keep grinding it out." -- Royals manager Ned Yost.

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