KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In an all out pitchers’ duel, the Kansas City Royals prevailed 2-1 over pitcher Zack Greinke and the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
It was a good thing the Royals struck early, because once Greinke settled in, he started dealing.
Left fielder Alex Gordon smashed a towering solo home run to right field, putting the Royals up 1-0 in the first inning. It was the only run they would get against Greinke, the Royals’ former ace and 2009 Cy Young Award winner.
In his first appearance at the K since being traded to Milwaukee, Greinke (7-2, 2.96 ERA) was on fire. He gave up six hits on one run in 7 innings, striking out eight and walking none.
Royals starter Luis Mendoza made sure he didn’t disappoint the home crowd. In 6 innings, Mendoza (2-3, 4.89 ERA) gave up one run on one hit, fanning four and walking two.
The Brewers (28-33, 12-16 away) were poised for a seventh inning super rally, until Alex Gordon came up with a monster catch and assist from left field, gunning down National League MVP Ryan Braun at the plate. Milwaukee tied the game 1-1 on an RBI single by second baseman Rickie Weeks off reliever Aaron Crow (0-1, 2.96 ERA), who suffered his second blown save of the season.
In the eighth, the Royals (25-34, 9-20 home) took a 2-1 lead on an RBI single by designated hitter Billy Butler off reliever Francisco Rodriguez (0-4, 4.50 ERA).
Closer Jonathan Broxton (0-1, 1.52 ERA) recorded his 15th save in the ninth.
With the win, the Royals snapped a four-game losing skid.
Left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez (1-2, 6.75 ERA) makes his first start since going on the disabled list against Brewers lefty Randy Wolf (2-5, 5.45 ERA) for game two of this series on Wednesday night at the K.
