Final
Butler, Royals top Giants
Aug 9, 2014 - 5:23 AM Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Billy Butler drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth inning and the Kansas City Royals defeated the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, in the first of three games at Kauffman Stadium on Friday.Butler also stroked a two-run homer and Alex Gordon hit an RBI single for the Royals, who won their fifth straight game and improved to a season-high eight games over .500.
"I think we're figuring out a way to win each night," said Butler.
Jason Frasor (3-1) earned the win after striking out two in a perfect sixth. Starter Jason Vargas gave up two runs on nine hits with five strikeouts in five innings of work.
Joaquin Arias supplied an RBI double and Matt Duffy went 2-for-4 with an RBI for San Francisco, which has dropped three of its last four.
Madison Bumgarner (13-9) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits with five strikeouts across eight frames for his third complete game of the season.
"I was able to have some quick innings after the first," said Bumgarner. "I felt just as good there in eighth as I did early on."
Kansas City went ahead in the sixth. Omar Infante hit a one-out single and Salvador Perez reached on Michael Morse's throwing error before Butler's single into right gave the Royals the lead. Gordon followed with a base hit to left, making it a 4-2 game.
Greg Holland fired a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts to earn his 100th career save and 33rd of the season.
Infante doubled with one out in the first and two batters later, Butler crushed a 2-2 fastball to left-center field for an early 2-0 Royals lead.
Arias doubled to left and Duffy singled to place runners at first and third to start the second. Vargas struck out Juan Perez and Brandon Crawford and got Angel Pagan to fly out to strand the runners.
The Giants tied the game in the third. Pablo Sandoval and Morse both singled before Arias stroked a two-out double to left, scoring Sandoval and Duffy followed with a single to right to make it a 2-2 game. Arias was thrown out at home by Nori Aoki to end the frame.
Game Notes
Kansas City improved to 12-4 this season against the National League ... It was the first time the Royals and Giants met in the regular season since 2008 ... The Royals lead the all-time series, 7-3 ... San Francisco finished 3- for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base ... Bumgarner has five complete games in his career.
- Mike Moustakas grounded into a double play, third to third to short to first. On the play, Erik Kratz out at second. None on with two outs and Alcides Escobar due up.
Aug 8 11:10 PM - Alex Gordon single to left scored Salvador Perez with two outs. On the play, Billy Butler out at third and Gordon advances to second on the throw. Runner on second and Lorenzo Cain due up.
Giants 2, Royals 4 Bot 6, 2 OutsAug 8 10:24 PM - Alex Gordon singles to deep left field, advances to 2nd. Billy Butler out at third. Salvador Perez scores.
Giants 2, Royals 4 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 8 10:21 PM - Billy Butler single to right scored Omar Infante with one out. On the play, Salvador Perez advances to second. Runners on first and second and Alex Gordon due up.
Giants 2, Royals 3 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 8 10:20 PM - Billy Butler singles to shallow right field. Salvador Perez to second. Omar Infante scores.
Giants 2, Royals 3 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 8 10:19 PM - Matt Duffy single to right scored Michael Morse with two outs. On the play, Joaquin Arias out at home to end the inning.
Giants 2, Royals 2 Mid 3Aug 8 9:20 PM - Joaquin Arias double to left scored Pablo Sandoval with two outs. On the play, Michael Morse advances to third. Runners on second and third and Matt Duffy due up.
Giants 1, Royals 2 Top 3, 2 OutsAug 8 9:19 PM - Matt Duffy singles to shallow right field. Joaquin Arias out at home. Michael Morse scores.
Giants 2, Royals 2 Mid 3Aug 8 9:18 PM - Joaquin Arias doubles to catcher. Michael Morse to third. Pablo Sandoval scores.
Giants 1, Royals 2 Top 3, 2 OutsAug 8 9:17 PM - Billy Butler two-out, two-run Home Run (7) to left scored Omar Infante. Alex Gordon due up.
Giants 0, Royals 2 Bot 1, 2 OutsAug 8 8:34 PM - Billy Butler homers to left field. Omar Infante scores.
Giants 0, Royals 2 Bot 1, 2 OutsAug 8 8:34 PM
Aug 8 8:13 PM- SAN FRANCISCO: 0
KANSAS CITY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 8 8:10 PM
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