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Meche pitches Royals past Marlins

Jun 16, 2007 - 4:43 AM KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- It was not 17 runs, but six runs must have seemed like a mirage to Kansas City Royals starter Gil Meche.

Meche snapped a personal five-game losing streak and Emil Brown provided a decisive two-run double as the Royals defeated the Florida Marlins, 6-2, in interleague play on Friday.

Mike Sweeney added a three-run double in the seventh for the Royals, who scored 17 runs against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Friday's run support was a welcomed change for Meche, as his teammates had scored just two runs total during his six previous starts while he was on the mound.

"Relaxing," said Meche, when asked how it felt to pitch with run support. "They intentionally walked (Mark) Teahen to get to Sweeney and he came through big, pulled the ball. At that point, I knew I had to keep it consistent, not try to do too much. I was able to do that for eight innings."

Meche (4-6), who was pulled after 114 pitches, gave up one run, six hits and one walk while striking out three in eight innings.

"He was just what we needed," Royals manager Buddy Bell said. "We needed someone to go deep into the game. He did that. We needed someone not to give up a whole lot. He did that. He did what we needed to do. He was outstanding. Sweeney's hit was huge. It gave us separation."

With the game tied, 1-1, in the sixth inning, Brown put the Royals ahead for good with a one-out double off starter Sergio Mitre (2-3) that scored and Teahen and rookie Alex Gordon.

Sweeney, who missed Thursday's game with back spasms, cleared the bases with his double in the seventh after Teahen was intentionally walked to load the bases.

"They made the right move," Sweeney said. "As a player who's been around, you tend to take it personal. You've got to get there and not let your emotions got hold of you. They had to (walk Teahen). It made sense. Teahen's been swinging the bat great, probably the best hitter in our lineup. I'm more double-play prone than Teahen."

Mitre allowed his first earned run since May 20 in the third inning, snapping a streak of 25 innings without allowing an earned run.

Mitre, who left a May 30 start with a strained right hamstring, gave up a season-high six runs and 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings. He also walked a batter, struck out one and saw his ERA jump from 1.59 to 2.29.

"I felt fine, no problems," Mitre said. "At times I got the good sinker I'm used to, at times I didn't. I gave up more fly balls today, mostly because I left the ball up. I've got four days to the next start instead of 10 or 11. But, you've got to do your job no matter what. They put me out there to do a job and obviously I didn't do it."

The Royals continue to do well in interleague play, winning seven of 10 games against National League opponents this season. The Marlins are 5-5 in interleague play.

"I hope so," said Meche, when asked if the Royals were beginning to turn their season around. "I can't imagine anybody in the league scoring more runs than we have in this homestand. We're coming up with some big offensive nights. When I came here, I knew this team had a good offense. We weren't showing it for a while and hopefully it will pick up the second half."

Miguel Olivo hit his fifth home run of the season for the Marlins.