Hernández sharp as Royals blank Orioles 6-0

BALTIMORE (AP) — Carlos Hernández delivered another impressive start for Kansas City — and this time the Royals closed out the game without incident.

Hernández allowed three hits in six innings, and Nicky Lopez and Hunter Dozier homered as the Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-0 on Thursday night. The previous night, Kansas City allowed nine runs in the eighth inning, wasting a fine start by Mike Minor and losing to the Orioles 9-8.

Hernández (6-1) walked three and struck out one. He has allowed three earned runs in 24 2/3 innings over his past four appearances. Since July 29, he is 5-0 with a 1.68 ERA.

“Attack the hitter, attack the zone — the strike zone,” Hernández said. “My mentality is positive right now.”

Kansas City's bullpen didn't allow a hit — Domingo Tapia pitched two innings, and Scott Barlow worked the ninth.

Baltimore's John Means (5-7) allowed two runs and five hits in seven-plus innings.

“He was really good,” Orioles manger Brandon Hyde said. “Besides the homer to Lopez early and the double to Dozier there in the eighth inning, he was (in) complete command.”

The closest the Orioles came to scoring was in the second, when Jahmai Jones singled with men on first and second. Left fielder Andrew Benintendi's throw to the plate was in time to retire Pedro Severino, who was trying to score with two outs.

Lopez hit a solo homer with one out in the first, and the Royals added three more runs in the eighth. Lopez singled home a run and later scored on Benintendi's single. Carlos Santana hit an RBI groundout.

“I was just frustrated I couldn’t get through that eighth,” said Means, who was taken out after allowing a leadoff double to Dozier. “I’ve got to be able to go out and finish — my pitch count’s not very...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Hern-ndez-sharp-as-Royals-blank-Orioles-6-0-16447791.php