Could Luke Hochevar finally be coming into his own as a first round draft pick? Hochevar improved to 10-10 on the season, including 5-2 since the All-Star break by allowing an unearned run and striking out eight in a 5-1 win over the Indians.
Hochevar threw a career-high 117 pitches, shaking off an errant pickoff attempt in the first inning that led to Cleveland’s only run.
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.