KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Felix Hernandez lost his fourth straight start and Will Smith struck out a career high eight to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday.
The Mariners right-hander hasn’t lost four straight starts since 2008. He also left in the seventh inning with a cramp in his lower back.
Smith pitched 4 1-3 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the victory, allowing just one hit, after starter Danny Duffy failed to make it through four innings. Five of Smith’s strikeouts took only three pitches.
Greg Holland pitched a one-hit ninth for his 37th save in 39 opportunities.
