CINCINNATI — Zack Greinke struck
out 12 in a five-hitter, ending a personal four-start skid and leading
the Kansas City Royals to a 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on
Sunday.
Greinke (2-8) allowed two solo homers
to Joey Votto but was in control throughout his first victory since May
13 against Cleveland and his second complete game of the season.
Billy Butler had four hits, including a
homer, and drove in four runs for Kansas City, which took two of three
in the weekend series. David DeJesus went 3 for 3 with a homer and
scored four times.
The Royals scored six runs with two
out, including Butler's two-run shot in the fifth that gave them a 3-2
lead. DeJesus singled and stole second before Butler hit a 1-0 pitch
from Sam LeCure over the wall in center for his sixth homer and first
since May 26 against Texas.
Butler added a two-run double in the
seventh after the Royals chased LeCure (1-3), making it 5-2.
LeCure allowed four runs and six hits
in 6 2/3 innings. The rookie right-hander has faced Cy Young Award
winners Greinke and St. Louis' Chris Carpenter and tough San Francisco
starter Matt Cain in his last three starts.
DeJesus connected in the ninth against
Nick Masset, hitting the struggling reliever's first pitch to him deep
to center.