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Millwood helps Rangers edge Royals

Aug 27, 2008 - 4:17 AM By Pat Madden PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Kevin Millwood tossed a complete game and the Texas Rangers took advantage of a throwing error in the eighth inning to post a 2-1 triumph over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

Millwood (8-7) notched his third complete game of the season, allowing one run and nine hits while striking out two without a walk.

"Those guys were aggressive and I was throwing strikes early and they just started swinging the bat," Millwood said. "My fastball was not that great, but I thought it was moving. We made a few plays that were outstanding and helped me out."

"He was outstanding," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He did it in less than 100 pitches. Once again, he hit his spots, changed speeds, laid off the fat part of the plate as best as he possibly could and he finished it."

Milton Bradley led off the decisive eighth with a walk against Ramon Ramirez (2-2) and was lifted for pinch runner Brandon Boggs, who promptly came around to score when catcher Miguel Olivo's throw to first base on Hank Blalock's infield single was off the mark.

"I think I went too quick," Olivo said. "I went full speed and I threw the ball to try to make a play. I didn't see (Ross) Gload at first base and let it go."

Despite not getting a decision, Kansas City starter Zack Greinke allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out five.

"I let people get on base and then had to work real hard to stop it," Greinke said. "Today, I made a bunch of mistakes. It's just when they capitalize on it, you notice it more. I made a lot they didn't capitalize on."

The 24-year-old righthander has allowed one earned run in his last three starts.

Bradley's sacrifice fly in the first inning gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead. It was Bradley's 69th RBI of the season, extending his career high in that category.

"We scored two runs on them," Washington said of the Royals' errors. "You've got to win any kind of way you can. I'm just glad it wasn't us making them."

The Royals tied the game in the fifth on Olivo's two-out double to left center that scored Billy Butler.

Joaquin Arias and Gerald Laird each recorded two hits for the Rangers, who won for the fourth time in five games at Kansas City.

Olivo had three hits for the Royals, who lost for the ninth time in 10 outings.

"It was untimely errors and (being) unable to do anything both from the mound and defensively to keep those runs from coming in," Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said. "Part of the problem when you do it against a club that slugs and does a good job of situational hitting, they're going to find a way when you give them extra outs, and it bit us both times."