KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 11 (UPI) -- Luke Hochevar allowed five hits over seven innings Friday and the Kansas City Royals took advantage of a three-run fifth to down Seattle 3-1.
The Royals have won back-to-back games and the Mariners have dropped five out of six.
Hochevar (6-7) struck out four and did not walk a batter. Joakim Soria recorded his 25th save by working a perfect ninth.
All the Kansas City runs came off Felix Hernandez (6-6), who struck out eight in his return from the disabled list. He had been out of action since spraining his left ankle in a collision while covering home plate against the New York Mets June 23.
The Royals put together a two-out rally in the fifth, starting with Ross Gload's base hit. Gload stole second and John Buck drew a walk before Joey Gathright singled in a run. After a wild pitch moved the runners up to second and third, David DeJesus delivered a two-run double.
