Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Bryan Bullington picked up his first major league win and Billy Butler knocked in the game's only run, as the Royals earned a split of a four-game series with the Yankees behind a 1-0 victory at Kauffman Stadium.
Bullington (1-2) held New York to a pair of hits, walked one and struck out five over eight innings in his longest start in the majors. Since making his debut in September 2005, the right-hander had gone 0-7 for Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Toronto and now Kansas City.
"This is a good day, that's for sure. It was a lot of fun. A long time coming, but I really enjoyed it," Bullington said of his first career victory.
Joakim Soria pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to extend his own club record with a 26th consecutive save, his 33rd of the season for the Royals, who came in having dropped six of seven.
A.J. Burnett (9-10) went the distance for New York, allowing four hits and a run in his first complete game of the season. He walked three, struck out six and added a tough-luck loss to his 3-8 ledger over the last 13 starts.
The pitchers' duel took shape right from the start with Bullington facing the minimum amount of batters through seven innings and Burnett yielding just two hits after Kansas City scored in the game's first frame. Willie Bloomquist singled and stole second, and Butler scored him with a base hit to right.
Bullington returned for the eighth and issued a two-out walk to pinch-hitter Marcus Thames but quickly induced a flyout by Curtis Granderson to retain the 1-0 lead.
"We're not robots, and even though you've got a collection of the best hitters in the game, if a guy comes out and it's his day, then this can happen to you," said Yankees designated hitter Lance Berkman.
Burnett also came back out for the eighth and put two on with one out after a Yuniesky Betancourt single and a walk to Gregor Blanco. But the score remained 1-0 heading to the ninth with Burnett bouncing back to get Bloomquist on a 6-4-3 double-play ball. Soria then shut the door in the ninth.
Robinson Cano and Brett Gardner had the two hits for the Yankees, both singles...The Royals also failed to collect an extra-base hit...Berkman, appeared to turn his right ankle on first base while trying to beat out a double play in the fifth inning. He was pinch hit for in the eighth his next time up...The Yankees won the season series 5-3...New York's hasn't lost a series to Kansas City dating back to 2000...The Royals continue a 10-game homestand against Cleveland on Tuesday...The Yankees return home for a four-game series with Detroit starting Monday...Soria is tied with Rays closer Rafael Soriano for the AL lead in saves.