Ex-top pick quiets Indians

9/20/2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Luke Hochevar's arm and Yuniesky Betancourt's legs were a winning combination for the Kansas City Royals.

Hochevar recovered from a shaky start to earn his first win since May 26 and Betancourt stole home, leading Kansas City to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

The top pick in the 2006 amateur draft, Hochevar (6-5) gave up three runs in the first two innings but none after that. He allowed eight hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one.

"The first two innings he was just throwing out there," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Then he adjusted and started pitching."

Mitch Maier had a two-run single in Kansas City's four-run second.

Shin-Soo Choo drove in two more runs for the Indians and finished 2 for 4 and scored a run and also hit his 20th home run of the season.

Josh Tomlin took the loss and fell to 4-4 this season. Tomlin worked five innings giving up six hits, all six runs and walked two. He struck out four.

Despite the loss, Cleveland out-hit Kansas City 12-8. Matt LaPorta also had two hits for the Indians.