After an embarrassing 11-2 loss to the Tigers on opening day, the Royals bounced back with a 7-2 win on Wednesday. Runelvys Hernandez had his first start since undergoing the so-called “Tommy John” surgery on his throwing elbow in 2003. If there were any lasting affect, you couldn’t tell by watching him pitch.
Hernandez lasted seven innings on Wednesday, allowing one run off five hits and three walks. Detroit’s only run against Hernandez came in the form of a sacrifice fly off the bat of Omar Infante in the third inning, which cut the Royals’ lead to 2-1. Kansas City bounced back in the top of the fourth with an RBI triple from Mark Teahen, and RBI singles from David DeJesus and Mike Sweeney. That made it 5-1 and Tigers’ starter Mike Maroth was replaced. The Royals didn’t break a sweat the rest of the way.
Every member of the Royals lineup either got a hit, scored or drove in a run. Tony Graffanino was 4-for-4 with two runs. Mike Sweeney was 2-for-5 with two RBI’s and Angel Berroa hit Kansas City’s only home run, when he went deep in the eighth inning.
