Diamondbacks 7 - 2 Royals
Final
  for this game

Young, Pena homer in Arizona's win at KC

Jun 22, 2011 - 3:24 AM

Video

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Chris Young and Wily Mo Pena each blasted home runs and Joe Saunders kept the Kansas City Royals in check as the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a 7-2 victory in the opener of a three-game set.

Pena, who was called up from the minors prior to the game, notched his first major league home run since June 24, 2008. Gerardo Parra added two RBI for the Diamondbacks, who halted a two-game skid.

Saunders (4-7) allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while fanning three over seven innings.

Luke Hochevar (4-8) surrendered five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings.

Alex Gordon belted a home run for the Royals, who have dropped three straight and five of six.

Gordon's home run got the Royals on the board in a hurry, as he turned on Saunders' first offering of the game, sending it into the seats in right.

Pena proved pivotal in the fifth, pulling Arizona even with a blast to center.

Justin Upton put the Diamondbacks on top in the sixth with a double off the wall in center, which plated Kelly Johnson.

Parra pushed two across the next inning with a triple to right, before scoring on a Ryan Roberts' groundout.

The Royals answered in their next at bat, as Alcides Escobar worked a two-out walk and crossed the plate on Gordon's triple to right.

Young responded in turn in the eighth, blasting a two-run shot off of Everett Teaford, giving the Diamondbacks a comfortable 7-2 lead.

Later in the frame, with one down, Miguel Montero lifted a fly to left. Gordon, in an aggressive sprint, ran under the ball and snared the it in spectacular fashion before crashing at full speed into the wall. He managed to hang on for the out and walked away seemingly unscathed.

Game Notes

Pena, who was called up from Triple-A Reno, last played in the major leagues in 2008 with the Washington Nationals...Saunders has pitched six or more innings in 10 straight starts...Upton has hit safely in 18 of his last 22 games...Hochevar had not allowed a home run in his five previous starts.






Related News