Padres 4, Royals 1
Tim Stauffer threw seven strong innings and the San Diego Padres completed their first series sweep with a 4-1 win over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
Stauffer (4-5) gave up one run on four hits while striking out six for San Diego, which has won seven of its last eight games, including four straight.
Stauffer, who has gone at least seven innings in his last five starts, has allowed a four earned runs in his last 36 innings.
Heath Bell worked worked around two baserunners in the ninth inning for his 23rd save and fourth in as many days.
The Padres scored four unearned runs in the third inning off Bruce Chen (4-2) after Stauffer started the rally by reaching base on third baseman Mike Moustakas’ error.
The Royals’ Billy Butler grounded out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning to end his streak of 131 consecutive series with at least one hit.