Royals 3, Reds 0
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mike Moustakas stroked three hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs, and Yordano "Ace" Ventura pitched seven strong innings as the Kansas City Royals shut out the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Tuesday night.
Third baseman Moustakas stroked RBI doubles in the fifth and seventh innings as the Royals moved 11 games above .500 and 2 1/2 games in front of Detroit in the American League Central.
The Reds have lost four straight, matching their season high, and dropped a season-worst three games below .500.
Ventura (3-3) gave up four singles, walked none and struck out six, throwing 88 pitches.
Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis, who picked up his seventh save, finished the shutout. The Royals, who beat the Yankees 6-0 on Sunday, registered consecutive shutouts for the first time since Sept. 29-30, 1992, against the Angels.
The Royals got to Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto for a run in the second inning, but missed an opportunity for a much bigger inning, leaving the bases loaded.
First baseman Eric Hosmer singled to left and designated hitter Kendrys Morales walked to begin the inning. Cueto rebounded by striking out left fielder Alex Gordon and catcher Salvador Perez. Second baseman Omar Infante singled to left to score Hosmer. Rookie right fielder Paulo Orlando's bunt single loaded the bases, but Cueto prevented further damage by retiring shortstop Alcides Escobar on a liner to center fielder Billy Hamilton.
The Reds threatened in the third, but came away empty. Right fielder Jay Bruce and designated hitter Devin Mesoraco led off the inning with singles. Hamilton advanced them 90 feet with a sacrifice bunt. Ventura induced shortstop Zack Cozart to ground out to Moustakas as the runners stayed put. Ventura then struck out catcher Bryan Pena swinging at a high pitch out of the zone to cease the threat.
Ventura, who had lost his three previous decisions, held the Reds scoreless over the first five innings, while allowing four singles.
The Royals increased their advantage to 2-0 in the fifth, which Orlando started with a single. After Escobar bunted him over, Moustakas stroked an RBI double down the right-field line.
NOTES: Reds LHP Manny Parra, who went on the disabled list April 29 with a neck strain, began a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Louisville and struck out all three Norfolk hitters he faced. ... The Royals play National League teams in three of their next four series. They went a major league best 15-5 in interleague play last season. ... Reds LHP Sean Marshall, who has not pitched this year, will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday. ... Royals LHP Jason Vargas, on the disabled list with a flexor strain, threw his second bullpen session Tuesday. If Vargas reports Wednesday with no setback, he will throw a simulated game Friday. ... Reds RHP Jason Marquis, who will start the series finale, is 3-0 against the Royals, but has faced them only once since 2006, in 2012. Royals RHP Jeremy Guthrie will face the Reds for the third time in his career and the first time since a 2012 loss.