Eric Hosmer went 5 for 5 with a three-run homer and Luis Mendoza got his first major league win in more than three years in the Royals’ 10-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. Hosmer’s five-hit game was the first by a Royals player since Billy Butler on July 27, 2009.
The winning pitcher was Luis Mendoza, just called up from AAA Omaha. The Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year was set to start for the Royals’ minor league affiliate in the AAA championship game against Cleveland’s AAA affiliate the Columbus Clippers. However, Mendoza got an opportunity instead to pitch in the majors and he took advantage of it.
Mendoza, held the Tigers to two runs, one unearned, and six hits in seven innings in his first big league appearance since April 19, 2010. Mendoza (1-0) got his first major league victory since Aug. 3, 2008 while with the Texas Rangers, an 8-4 decision over Toronto.
Hosmer’s three-run homer off for Cardinal Brad Penny highlighted a six-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach.
By the way, Omaha lost their game 8-3. Former Royal, Sean O’Sullivan started in place of Mendoza and gave up six runs on six hits in the first three innings.
