Royals defeat Tribe; Bucs rally

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Luke Hochevar pitched eight innings of three-hit ball and the Kansas City Royals handed the Cleveland Indians a costly loss, 5-1 on Saturday night.

Hochevar (10-10) allowed an unearned run, struck out eight and walked one while throwing a career-high 117 pitches. The right-hander improved to 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break.

The Indians lost ground in the AL Central, falling to 6 1/2 games back of first-place Detroit. The Tigers rallied for a dramatic 9-8 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

The start of the game was delayed 20 minutes by rain, and showers caused another 16-minute break in the second inning. But it was smooth sailing from there, at least for the Royals.

Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run double in the first inning to give Kansas City a 2-1 lead. It was Francoeur’s 44th double of the season, tying the club record for an outfielder set by Jermaine Dye in 1999.

Alex Gordon added a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the second, Billy Butler doubled in a run in the fifth and Johnny Giavotella capped the scoring with his second homer in the sixth.

David Huff (2-3) pitched six innings for Cleveland and was charged with four earned runs and six hits.

Pirates 7, Cubs 5

CHICAGO

Derrek Lee came off the disabled list and hit a go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning.

Lee’s shot to left through the rain at Wrigley Field came off former teammate Carlos Marmol (2-5), who blew his NL-high 10th save. Marmol gave up a single and three walks in the inning. Lee drove in five runs in the game.

Chris Resop (5-4) threw two scoreless innings in relief and Joel Hanrahan got three outs for his 34th save.

Alex Presley had three hits and scored a run for the Pirates.

Chicago’s Alfonso Soriano matched his season high with four RBIs.