Trumbo, Wieters homers lead Orioles past Royals
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore's Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters each hit solo homers in the decisive seventh inning to support a solid performance by starter Mike Wright, leading the Orioles past the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Monday.
Manny Machado got his 15th home run of the season for the Orioles, who have won five of six and sit atop the American League East. The Royals, meanwhile, lost their fifth straight after enduring a four-game weekend road sweep by the Cleveland Indians.
Wright had suffered the shortest start of his young career in his last outing June 1 when he allowed six runs on seven hits in just 2 2/3 innings. He was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk the following day, but was recalled Friday when reliever Darren O'Day (hamstring) was placed on the disabled list.
This time, Wright (3-3) was much more effective after being the named the starter following Sunday's rain-delayed game against the Yankees. Wright allowed one unearned run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks over seven innings.
Orioles closer Zach Britton picked up his 18th save.
The Royals got back-to-back singles by Paulo Orlando and Cheslor Cuthbert in the seventh. Jarrod Dyson then hit a sharp grounder to shortstop Manny Machado, who flicked the ball to second baseman Jonathan Schoop for a force out. However, Schoop's attempt to throw to first base to complete a double play hit Cuthbert on the right arm, allowing Orlando to score. Cuthbert left the game with a contusion and is day-to-day.
Trumbo answered for Baltimore with his league-leading 19th homer in the bottom half of the inning, and two batters later, Wieters hit another solo shot to center off Royals starter Danny Duffy. Adam Jones added an RBI-double off reliever Luke Hochevar later that inning for a 3-1 lead.
Despite the loss, Duffy (1-1) continued a string of effective performances since rejoining the rotation in mid-May. He allowed two runs on five hits and tied a career-high with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Machado added another solo homer off Kelvin Herrera for the 4-1 lead.
Jonathan Schoop got the Orioles' first hit with a leadoff single off Duffy in the third. Paul Janish then reached on a bunt toward first base. After Jones moved the runners up with another bunt, Duffy got out of the jam by striking out Joey Rickard and Manny Machado.
Duffy got hit in the side of his left shin on a hard liner by Mark Trumbo in the fourth. He walked down the third-base foul line in obvious pain. However, after a few warm-up pitches, he was able to stay in the game.
NOTES: Baltimore RHP Yovani Gallardo (right shoulder bicep tendinitis) is making a rehab start on Tuesday for Triple-A Norfolk against Durham. He could "potentially" return to the Orioles' rotation following that appearance, manager Buck Showalter said. ... Royals RHP Kris Medlen (right rotator cuff inflammation) threw live batting practice in Arizona on Monday. Medlen, who went on the disabled list on May 12 retroactive to the previous day, will throw another session before heading out on a rehab assignment. "Everything went great," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He passed all of his tests on that." ... Orioles SS J.J. Hardy (left foot fracture) took 25 grounds balls Monday at Baltimore's spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla. ... Royals RHP Yordano Ventura (4-3, 4.82 ERA) opposes Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jiminez (2-6, 6.59 ERA) on Tuesday.