MILWAUKEE (AP)– Chris Young jokingly questioned the strategy of Ned Yost replacing him with a pinch hitter. Who could blame the pitcher?
Young became the first Royals pitcher to drive in three runs in a game since 1972 and worked seven innings of five-hit ball Tuesday night, leading Kansas City to a 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
“He said, `you know, I don’t see anybody else on this team with two hits and three RBI,” Yost said. “And I said, `well, you’ve got a point there.”
The only other time Young had a multi-RBI game was when he drove in two runs on May 24, 2009, and he hadn’t had a hit since Sept. 23, 2012. But Yost replaced Young with pinch-hitter Jarrod Dyson in the eighth inning.
Dyson delivered a run-scoring triple to give his team a 7-0 lead.
“Dyson came in and made Ned look good,” Young said. “I had no power in my bat.”
Young had a two-run single in the fourth inning and an RBI single in the fifth for the Royals, who have won six of eight after a 2-9 skid. He is the sixth Kansas City pitcher with at least three RBI and the first since Steve Busby.
Young (6-2) struck out three without any walks to improve to 12-2 in interleague starts in his career.
Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas each homered for Kansas City.
Matt Garza (4-8) allowed six runs and a career-high 13 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He is 1-5 at home this year.
Milwaukee is 11-24 at Miller Park after losing its fourth game in a row.
“They hit the ball all over the place,” Garza said. “It’s frustrating, but what are you going to do?”
Cain hit a two-run shot to left field in the first for his second long ball in two nights.
Young, who entered with 14 RBI in his career, put Kansas City up 4-0 with his two-run hit.
“I spent a few years in the National League and I feel I can handle the bat OK,” Young said. “But any base hit is a bonus.”
Moustakas homered for the first time since May 27, a solo shot in the seventh.
