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Royals end Mariners' eight-game winning steak

Jul 3, 2007 - 5:42 AM KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Emil Brown lofted a game-winning sacrifice fly in the 11th inning Monday as the Kansas City Royals posted a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners, who had their eight-game winning streak stopped.

In the 11th, David DeJesus led off with a double off Seattle reliever Brandon Morrow (3-2) that sailed over the head of right fielder Jose Guillen.

"(DeJesus) hit that ball like he weighs 300 pounds," Guillen said. "The ball jumped off his bat. He hit it like he's got 40 homers. I should have gotten a better read on that. It took off at the last minute. It was a line drive and I was playing deep and came in. What can I do? I can take the blame for that. Why not?"

"He misjudged it," Seattle manager John McLaren said. "But I can see how. It was smoked. It was a laser. I don't think anyone can hit a ball harder."

Esteban German walked before Mark Teahen sacrificed to advance both runners, setting up Brown's heroics as the Royals posted their first extra-inning win at home since August 9, 2006, against Boston.

"I love hitting with runners on base," Brown said. "I only saw two pitches but he gets it up there pretty good. He throws hard. I was was looking for something I can see. When a guy throws 96, 97 (miles per hour), it's hard to get on top of those pitches. I was happy to be in that situation. The second time up I knew I was going to get a chance."

Brown had a chance to win the game in the ninth, but struck out with a runner on third. Kansas City came up short again in the 10th as Joey Gathright struck out with pinch runner Fernando Cortez on third.

Octavio Dotel (1-1) pitched a scoreless frame for the win as the Royals spoiled the debut of McLaren, who took over when Mike Hargrove stepped down on Sunday.

"It would have been nice (getting a win)," McLaren said. "It was a pretty intense game, to be honest with you. There was a lot going on. There was a lot of strategy involved in this game."

Royals starter Gil Meche survived first-inning struggles and a pair of errors, settling down to hold the Mariners scoreless over his last five-plus innings before giving way to the bullpen.

"I felt good, I just didn't have the control I usually have," Meche said. "I wasn't able to duplicate pitches. It wasn't a great start; it was one of those outings where you have to battle and keep your team in the game. We did and Emil came through big in the 11th."

Meche allowed five hits and two runs with three walks and a strikeout in his first start since being named to the American League All-Star team.

With one out in the first, Guillen lined a single up the middle to score Jose Vidro and Raul Ibanez, giving Seattle an early 2-0 lead.

The Royals answered with a run of their own as DeJesus doubled to lead off the bottom of the first and German singled to center to make it 2-1.

DeJesus tied the game at 2-2 in his next at-bat, hitting his fourth homer of the season to right-center field with two out in the third.

"I knew it was a long time, since April in Minnesota," DeJesus said. "It was good to get one. I felt good at the plate the first couple of times up, but then he got me the next two times, so I wanted to get the momentum started again."

DeJesus' home run was the eighth allowed by Seattle starter Felix Hernandez in his last seven starts. Hernandez pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

"It was a pretty good pitchers' game," McLaren said. "Felix did a great job. That's what we ask of our starters; eat some innings and give us a chance to win. If they can give us seven or eight innings it takes the pressure off the bullpen. That's what Felix did. He got a little tired. It was humid. If this game were in Seattle he would have gone back out there in the ninth."