Royals-Yankees series finale postponed due to weather
NEW YORK -- The scheduled game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees has been postponed by rain.
The announcement was made on a wet Thursday morning in New York City about five hours before the teams were supposed to play the finale of a four-game series. The local forecast called for inclement weather much of the day.
Instead, the game will be made up at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 25, previously an off day for both teams. A start time had not been determined.
Right-hander Miguel Almonte had been slated to get his first major league start for the Royals.
The day off could benefit Kansas City, down a starting pitcher after right-hander Nate Karns went on the 10-day disabled list this week because of nerve irritation in his pitching arm.
The Royals originally planned to start Almonte to keep the regular members of their rotation on normal rest. The washout was no doubt a disappointment for the 24-year-old, who made nine relief appearances with Kansas City two years ago. Speaking through a translator, he said Wednesday the Yankees were his favorite team growing up and he admired Alex Rodriguez.
Almonte, called up Sunday, was 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in six starts and one relief outing this year at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he struck out 35 and walked six in 29 innings.
If nothing else, the Royals were able to move on without a potentially long weather delay on getaway day in New York. The Yankees took two of three in the abbreviated series, including a 3-0 win Wednesday night behind Luis Severino.
Kansas City, which began the day with the worst record in the American League at 19-27, plays a three-game series at AL champion Cleveland this weekend. Ian Kennedy remains scheduled to start Friday night, followed by Jason Vargas on Saturday and Danny Duffy on Sunday.
The Royals also were rained out last Saturday at Minnesota before splitting a doubleheader with the Twins the following day.
With the make-up game, Kansas City's final road trip will get extended to 11 games in four cities. The Royals finish a series at the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 24 before making a one-day stop in New York and then heading home to end the season against Detroit and Arizona.
