Jeremy Guthrie pitched around a 59-minute rain delay in the fourth inning and started the seventh as the Royals beat the Yankees 5-1, ending a five-game losing streak to the Yanks. Guthrie improved to 8-6, as he gave up three hits over six innings.
Offensively the Royals scored all of their runs courtesy of extra base hits. Billy Butler homered. Alex Gordon, David Lough and Johnny Giavotella each had RBI doubles and Alcides Escobar tripled in a run.
Guthrie stayed loose during the rain delay by throwing every 15 minutes, treating the delay like an actual game to keep his arm loose. Guthrie was much better prepared than his start last Wednesday against the Indians when the game started late because of a rain delay for 2:30. “After last game I was trying treat it a little bit different, be a little more focused,” Guthrie said.
Leading 5-1, closer Greg Holland was needed in the ninth when Lyle Overbay walked and Luis Cruz singled to start the inning against Luke Hochevar. Holland gave up a hit to Chris Stewart to load the bases. But Holland struck out Eduardo Nunez, Brett Gardner and Zoilo Almonte to end it for his 21st save.