KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jason Hammel had been having trouble attacking the strike zone this season, the constant nibbling at the corners leading to an abundance of walks and nearly as many runs.
The Royals’ right-hander certainly attacked the zone on Saturday.
Got after the Cleveland Indians, too.
After serving up a pair of homers in the second inning, Hammel only allowed two more hits while pitching into the seventh. And backed by a six-run fifth inning highlighted by Lorenzo Cain’s two-run home run, Kansas City went on to trounce its AL Central rival 12-5 and ensure a series victory.