KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Weathering the brutal heat inside Kauffman Stadium on Thursday afternoon, the Seattle Mariners nabbed a dominating 6-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Seattle took three out of four to win the series. The Royals (39-52, 16-28 home) are now 2-5 since the All-Star break.
Mariners All-Star ace Felix Hernandez pitched a beauty, giving up one run on eight hits in 8 innings. Hernandez (8-5, 2.82 ERA) pitched to contact all day, collecting three strikeouts to go along with a total of 89 pitches.
Royals left-handed pitcher Will Smith started the game in promising fashion, but the Mariners (40-54, 23-27 away) got to him in the second inning. Designated hitter Jesus Montero hit a solo home run, and shortstop Brendan Ryan hit a sacrifice fly to give Seattle a 3-0 lead.
Montero finished the day with four RBI’s.
Smith (1-3, 7.97 ERA) was able to limit the damage however, giving up four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, fanning five and walking two.
The Royals’ lone run came on an RBI single by second baseman Chris Getz in the fifth inning.
RHP Luke Hochevar (6-8, 5.16 ERA) gets the start against Minnesota Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (4-5, 8.10 ERA) for game one of three on Friday night at the K.