The Kansas City Royals never looked back. With four runs in the bottom of the first inning, KC cruised straight through nine innings for their second win of three games against the visiting Chicago Cubs to take the series and reverse a losing direction that seemed to have encompass the clubhouse. The Royals can now look forward with some momentum to a road series against the last place San Diego Padres.
Luke Hochevar went to 5-8 on the year with this win, even with a largely pedestrian effort. Hochevar went five-plus innings and allowed seven hits and three earned runs in the process. He also walked three and struck out five. The real pitching heroes were a bullpen that featured Louis Coleman striking out three in one full inning of work, Aaron Crow working an efficient eighth inning and Joakim Soria earning his 13th save. Combined they threw 3-plus innings of one-hit ball.
Only Geovany Soto could get much going against the Royals pitching, but the Royals hitters took turns driving in runs. Jeff Francoeur had three hits and Alex Gordon, Melky Cabrera and Eric Hosmer all had two, and everyone except for Mike Moustakas had a hit in today's game.
Jeff Francis takes the hill tomorrow against the Padres ace Mat Latos. Game time is 9:05pm CT.