Wily Mo Pena, recently called up from AAA, hit his first major league home run since the 2008 season and the Royals were stymied by Joe Saunders, who pitched seven strong innings, as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 7-2 Tuesday night.
Royals starter Luke Hochevar held the Diamondbacks to one hit over the first 4 2/3 innings before Pena’s shot deep to right-center. Hochevar fell to 4-8 and is 1-5 in his past eight starts. Hochevar gave up five runs on eight hits. He struck out six and walked one in seven innings, with his earned run average jumping to 4.97.
Meanwhile the Royals didn’t have many answers for Saunders who improved to 4-7, but is getting hot. He started the season 0-5, but has now won his fourth victory in six starts. He held the Royals to six hits and two runs over seven innings.
Alex Gordon had both RBIs for the Royals hitting a solo shot in the first and a triple in the 7th scoring Alcides Escobar.
