Utahn John Buck making mark in K.C.

BALTIMORE — Bob McClure, the Royals pitching coach, popped out of the Kansas City third-base dugout and was quickly followed by catcher John Buck to the pitcher's mound in the fifth inning last Thursday afternoon.

They paid a visit to Royals' starting pitcher Luke Hochevar, who faced a bases-loaded situation against the Orioles in the finale of a four-game series. Taylorsville High graduate Buck, after a few words from McClure, returned to his position, but just a few pitches later Hochevar served up a three-run double to Aubrey Huff, who had been in a slump, and the Orioles went on to a 7-3 win.

It has been that kind of season for the Royals, who lost 61 of their first 101 games. Manager Trey Hillman recently got a vote of confidence from general manager Dayton Moore, who was named to that position June 8, 2006.

"I believe they have the right guy in Dayton," said Buck, standing behind home plate before Thursday's game at Camden Yards. "It is not an overnight fix and I think everyone knew that. As we move forward we have to keep making strides and listen to how he is leading us and not look for the quick fix, and buy into his plan and weather this year."

"I believe he is the right man," Buck added of Moore. "I was here before and I am here now. The stuff on the field hasn't been the way we wanted. We expected to be better. The simple fact we expected to be better is a step forward."

This has also been a rough season for Buck, the Salt Lake resident who missed 32 games with a back injury before returning to the active roster in early July. He was hitting .224 with four homers and 24 RBI in 107 at bats, after he hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning here Thursday against the Orioles in a game he started at catcher.

"I feel great now. I never had any back problems before," Buck said.

But he is among three catchers on the Kansas City roster, along with Miguel Olivo and Brayan Pena, and Buck is finding playing time hard to come by.

"Since I have been here since 2004 people think I am 35 or something," said Buck, 29, with a laugh. "I am still in my 20s. I want to play every day. As long as I am here I will be prepared to go with whatever they want me to do. I will just be prepared as much as I can for whatever happens."

"He would probably like to play more," said Ryan Freel, a Royals infielder who experienced the same situation when he began 2009 with the Orioles.