After giving up a first inning run, Brian Bannister continued to provide solid starting pitching for the Royals as they took advantage of five unearned runs against Reds starter Johnny Cueto to grab their first series sweep of the season with a 7-1 win.
Bannister went eight innings allowing just four hits. The key for Bannister was just one walk as well. Bannister moves to 5-3 lowering his ERA to 4.10. Meanwhile, sloppy play from the Reds and timely hits by Kansas City busted the game open in the third.
After each team scored a run in the first, the Royals added four in the bottom of the third. David DeJesus singled to lead off and Willie Bloomquist reached on a throwing error by third basemen Jerry Hairston. A one out walk loaded the bases for Miguel Olivo who grounded into a force play. Then Alberto Callaspo tripled.
Cueto, who we have seen pitch well against the Cardinals allowed seven hits and a walk in six innings, but none of the five runs he allowed were earned. Olivo and Callaspo each finished 2 for 4 with Olivo driving in four, Callaspo two.
