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Aviles' homer helps Royals edge Cardinals

Jun 18, 2008 - 4:20 AM By Jim Walsh PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals got some help from a couple of newcomers en route to topping their intrastate rivals.

Kyle Davies held the St. Louis Cardinals in check for seven innings and Mike Aviles' eighth-inning solo homer proved to be the difference as the Royals posted a 2-1 interleague victory Tuesday.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the eighth, Aviles lined a 1-1 changeup from lefthander Ron Villone (1-2) over the wall in left-center field. It was the third blast of the year for the shortstop, who made his major league debut on May 29.

"Basically I just went up there trying to hit a ball in the gap," Aviles said. "I know we have our 3-4-5 coming up behind me, hit a ball in the gap and hopefully get into scoring position. I got good wood on it and fortunately it went out of the park.

"You throw a pitch down the middle, a major league hitter should be able to hit it and he did," Villone said. "I hung a pitch and the guy took advantage of it and I lost the game."

Davies (3-0) won for the third time in four starts since being promoted from Class AAA Omaha on May 31. The 24-year-old tossed a season-high seven innings, allowing only one run and five hits with three walks while striking out four.

"My mechanics have given me so much more confidence," said Davies, who threw 70 of 108 pitches for strikes. "That's how I pitched coming up in the minor leagues, that rhythm and confidence on the mound knowing I don't have to be perfect and I can still get people out."

Davies has allowed just one run in each of his four starts this season.

"(Davies) was out there making an impact on every pitch," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "He's consistently putting good starts together and that's good to see, no doubt."

Ron Mahay pitched a perfect eighth and Joakim Soria worked the ninth to pick up his 16th save in 17 chances for the Royals, who improved to 5-2 in interleague play this year.

St. Louis starter Joel Pineiro matched Davies with seven strong innings, limiting Kansas City to only one run. Making his second start since returning from the disabled list on June 12, the righthander allowed seven hits and struck out four without a walk.

"It was a well-played game from both sides," Pineiro said. "Just one swing of the bat, that's all it took, it was a tough loss for us."

Jose Guillen had two hits for the Royals, extending his hitting streak to a career high-tying 11 games.