Bucs’ streak ends; Indians walloped

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

George Kottaras, playing only because of an injury, doubled in a run and the Milwaukee Brewers rallied from a three-run deficit to end a nine-game losing streak, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Thursday night.

Hours after general manager Doug Melvin strongly supported manager Ken Macha, the Brewers came back from 3-0 deficit in the first with a pair of two-run innings.

Neither home plate umpire John Hirschbeck nor Brewers catcher Gregg Zaun made it past the second inning before being lifted with injuries.

Hirschbeck developed concussion-like symptoms when struck by a Narveson warmup pitch that apparently fooled Zaun as the Pirates were about to bat in the first. Hirschbeck stayed in the game as the Pirates took a 3-0 lead, only to be replaced by James Hoye before Milwaukee batted in the second. Three umpires finished the game.

Zaun left with a strained right shoulder in the second — apparently after being struck by a pitch — and Kottaras replaced him.

Royals 9, Indians 3

CLEVELAND

They’ve climbed from the AL Central basement and never want to go back.

Down and out most of this season — and so many more before it — the Kansas City Royals are suddenly rising.

Luke Hochevar pitched his third career complete game, Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer and the Royals won for the sixth time in eight games, beating the short-handed and sliding Indians to move out of last place in the AL Central.

“That’s nice,” said new manager Ned Yost, who improved to 5-2 since taking over for the fired Trey Hillman. “That’s good. My focus is playing good every single day. That stuff takes care of itself. Our goal is to play good fundamental baseball. We’ve done that this week, without a doubt.”

The Royals completed a two-game sweep of the Indians thanks to a solid performance from Hochevar (4-2).