Yordano Ventura Overpowers Yankees in Royals Win

The Kansas City Royals bounced back from their 6-2 loss Saturday night to win 2-0 on Sunday, behind Yordano Ventura‘s 6 shutout innings, and 3 innings of near-flawless relief (only 1 hit allowed) from the bullpen—despite Greg Holland being unavailable due to a tight triceps.

The win puts Kansas City 17 games over .500 at 79-62. The Royals gained 1/2 game on the Tigers to take a 2.5 game lead in the A.L. Central, pending the outcome of Detroit’s game this evening against San Francisco.

On the Mound

Yordano Ventura pitched 6.0 innings, allowing only 3 hits, 4 walks, and 0 runs with 4 strikeouts. Ventura left with the Royals leading 2-0.

Aaron Crow pitched a clean 7th with 1 strikeout

Kelvin Herrera also pitched a clean inning in the 8th.

Wade Davis entered in the 9th and nailed down his 2nd consecutive save (2) despite giving up a leadoff single.

At the Plate

Both of the Royals runs were unearned. Josh Willingham advanced to 3rd from 2nd on an infield single by Nori Aoki, and scored on pitcher Shane Greene‘s throwing error to first.

In the 3rd, Alex Gordon reached 1st on an error by former Royal Carlos Beltran. He ended up scoring after he stole 2nd (10) followed Eric Hosmer‘s RBI single.

Alcides Escobar was the only Royal with 2 hits, going 2 for 4 with 2 singles.

Eric Hosmer reached twice, going 1 for 3 with a single, 1 walk, and the game’s only RBI.

Overall, the Royals skktroked 7 singles and drew 4 walks.

This and That

The Royals spoiled New York’s pre-game ceremony to honor the retiring Derek Jeter. Former Yankee greats and personal heroes of Jeter like Michael Jordan, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Dave Winfield attended.

Closer Greg Holland was held out of this game, as well as Saturday’s game, due to triceps tightness after pitching 5 out of 7 days.

The Royals did not get an extra-base hit, but supplemented their offense with 3 stolen bases. The aggressive base-running paid off when Alex Gordon scored on Eric Hosmer’s single in the 3rd.

Kansas City won the season series against the Yankees for the first time since 1999.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Yordano Ventura earned the accolade for his 6.0 innings of shutout ball that earned him his 12th win of the season.