May 23 (UPI) -- Pitcher Jason Hammel led the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 win Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing one run in seven innings.
Hammel also tossed six strikeouts and allowed nine hits during the victory at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. He is now 1-5 on the season.
St. Louis got on the scoreboard first, using some crafty tactics. Center fielder Tyler O'Neill was at the plate facing Hammel in the bottom of the first frame during the exchange. Jose Martinez singled after Dexter Fowler and Matt Carpenter both got out to start the inning. Marcela Ozuna then singled, moving Martinez over to third base.
O'Neil took a ball before whiffing on two strikes. Hammel then tossed in another ball above the strike zone. Royals catcher Salvador Perez looked at Ozuna leading off on first base, before firing a throw to third base to check on Martinez. But it was too late, as Martinez dashed from the hot corner. Third baseman Mike Moustakas mishandled Perez's throw to third and Martinez slid in safe at the plate.
It didn't take long for the Royals to tie the game. Alex Gordon hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning before Kansas City started rolling.
Alcides Escobar drove in Whit Merrifield on an RBI double in the fourth before Perez hit a solo shot in the top of the sixth. Jon Jay gave the Royals the 5-1 advantage with a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning.
The Cardinals host the final game of the three-game series at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. The series is tied 1-1.
