If you were to tell a friend that Luke Hochevar lasted just 3.2 innings on Saturday evening and gave up six runs on nine hits, your friend would probably assume the Royals lost. That wasn't the case though, as the Royals scored 13 runs on just 12 hits in a 13-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Kansas City benefited from facing Detroit starter Charlie Furbush, making just his second career start. With the Royals set to face all-everything Justin Verlander on Sunday, it was very important for Kansas City to pick up a win Saturday.
After scoring a run in the first, the blue and white posted three more in the second to make it 4-0. Billy Butler provided the key punch, coming through with a two-out, two RBI double. Butler would go 3-for-5 on the evening. His on-base-percentage is now creeping towards .400.
The Tigers got within 4-2 in the top of the third, before Kansas City scored five runs in the bottom half to take a commanding 9-2 lead. Alex Gordon his a three-run home run to center, his 11th of the the season to go along with 50 RBI's.
Detroit got within three at 9-6 in the fifth, but Kansas City answered with one run in the fifth and three in the sixth to again separate themselves from the Tigers. Alcides Escobar had a two-run triple in the sixth, his fourth triple on the year.
The first four hitters in the Royals batting order had nine of the team's 12 hits on the evening. Mike Moustakas had the evening off, with Wilson Betemit starting at third. Betemit was 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Greg Holland and Everett Teaford combined for 5.1 innings of shutout baseball from the bullpen, giving up just three hits. Holland earned the win, moving to 3-1 on the season. Teaford worked the final three innings, making him eligible to pick up the save, the first of his career. The Royals move their mark to 37-53, while Detroit is 48-43.