Orioles 2 - 6 Royals
Final
  for this game

Butler homers as Royals down O's

Aug 4, 2011 - 3:52 AM

Video

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Billy Butler hit a three-run home run and drove in four as the Kansas City Royals took a 6-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the second of three games.

Alex Gordon went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored while Alcides Escobar went 3-for-4 with a two-run triple for the Royals, who have won four of their last six. Manuel Pina had two hits and a run scored in his MLB debut.

Luke Hochevar (8-8) got the win as he gave up just two runs -- one earned -- on four hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings.

"I was just trying to pound the strike zone and get ahead in the count," said Hochevar. "I've been throwing a bunch of sliders lately and teams do their homework so I try to change things up. Manny (Pina) caught a great game back there and it was nice to see him do so well in his first game."

J.J. Hardy and Vladimir Guerrero each drove in a run for the Orioles, who have lost four of five. Jeremy Guthrie (5-15) was tagged with the loss as he gave up six runs on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts over seven innings.

"Unfortunately, early on we had the momentum and I couldn't keep it on our side, so he (Hochevar) ran with it after that," said Guthrie.

Guerrero singled home Adam Jones, who had doubled with two outs in the first, but Butler's sacrifice fly brought home Gordon in the home half to tie the game.

In the second, Yamaico Navarro singled with one out and Chris Getz was hit by a pitch before Escobar punched a triple to right for a 3-1 lead.

A Hardy sacrifice fly in the third made it a 3-2 contest and the game stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh

Pina led off the inning with a double to left and moved to third on a Gordon single. After Melky Cabrera flied out, Butler hit a blast to center for a 6-2 advantage.

"It's not easy hitting them out in centerfield here, so I'm doing something to create some backspin and I'm just going to ride the hot wave and just try to keep putting the barrel on the ball," said Butler, who has six home runs in his past eight games. "I'm just happy I can contribute to the team, give us the lead and have an easy victory."

With one out and two on in the Baltimore eighth, Greg Holland took the mound and hit Robert Andino to load the bases. However, he got Hardy to strike out and Nick Markakis to ground out and end the frame.

Holland worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the first save of his career.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, Baltimore has won five of the eight games against Kansas City this season...Hochevar has won his past three starts...Guthrie has dropped six of his past eight decisions...Pina caught Guerrero trying to steal second to end the first inning.






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