Bruce Chen got back on track for the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday afternoon, allowing just one run in five and two thirds innings. Chen, who failed to get out of the second inning against the Cardinals over the weekend, failed to escape the sixth inning, but still pitched effectively, giving up just five hits while issuing two walks and striking out six.
Kelvin Herrera, who came on in relief of Chen, was excellent. Herrera finished the sixth inning and pitched the seventh, striking out each batter he faced.
The Royals look the lead in the fifth inning, when Brayan Pena's groundout scored Mike Moustakas, giving KC a 1-0 lead. Kansas City added to that lead the next inning, when an error by shortstop Jed Lowrie allowed Alex Gordon to score.
Lowrie, though, redeemed himself slightly in the bottom half of the sixth, as his infield single plated Jordan Schafer, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Jonathan Broxton got himself into a bit of trouble to start the ninth, giving up a leadoff single to Chris Snyder. After retiring Matt Downs on a fielder's choice, Jose Altuve singled, putting runners on the corners with one out. Broxton, though, struck out Brian Bixler for the second out and retired Jordan Schafer on a fly out to end the game.
Kansas City will be off Thursday and open up a three-game series against the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night in Kansas City.
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