KANSAS CITY -- On the day when the Royals acquired right-hander Johnny Cueto, right-hander Yordano Ventura stepped up and pitched like Cueto, who also happens to be a fellow Dominican that Ventura has always looked up to.
"I feel that the acquisition is really good for the team," Ventura said through interpreter Rene Francisco. "He's a veteran who pitches deep into the game. I look up to him because he's from the Dominican and I followed his career. I'm happy he'll be here."
On Sunday, though, Ventura showed again how good he can be -- seven innings, six hits, one run, no walks and five strikeouts in the Royals' 5-1 win over the Astros.