KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Wade Davis came off the family emergency leave list and pitched six solid innings, Billy Butler homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Monday night.
The Royals won for the 17th time in 20 games, while the Marlins are 1-8 in their past nine.
Davis had not pitched since Aug. 2, returning to Florida to be with his family after the death of his stepbrother on Aug. 3.
Davis (6-9) allowed two runs and six hits while striking out three and walking two.
Marlins starter Tom Koehler (3-8) held the Royals hitless until two out in the fourth, when they pieced together four straight hits.
The Royals jump to second place in the AL Central, six and a half games back, after losses by both first place Detroit and Cleveland on Monday night. The Tigers dropped a 6-2 decision at the White Sox, and the Twins shut out the Indians 3-0 at Target Field.
Kansas City is now four games back in the wild card of Tampa Bay and Oakland. The A’s were off Monday night, allowing the Royals to make up a half game.
Game two with the Marlins is Tuesday night at 7:10pm at Kauffman Stadium, and pregame begins at 6:30 on KMAN from the Royals Radio Network.
