KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 30 (UPI) -- Erik Bedard gave up four hits over eight innings Wednesday and Nick Markakis contributed a ninth-inning homer as Baltimore blanked Kansas City 3-0.
It was the Orioles' fifth straight win and they completed their second three-game sweep of the Royals this season.
Bedard (4-3) struck out five and gave way in the ninth to Chris Ray, who earned his 12th save.
The game was scoreless until the eighth, when Gil Meche walked Ramon Hernandez and gave up a bunt single to Corey Patterson. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice and Jay Payton singled in pinch-runner Freddie Bynum.
Markakis gave the Orioles some ninth-inning insurance with his homer after Kevin Millar had reached on a single.
Meche (3-4) took the loss despite allowing only four hits over 7 1/3.
