(AP) -- Felix Hernandez won his fourth straight decision, Jesus Montero homered and drove in four runs as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-1 Thursday.
Hernandez (8-5) is 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in his past seven starts since a loss to San Diego on June 12.
While he leads the majors with 143 strikeouts, Hernandez struck out only three, tying his season low.
He allowed one run and eight hits, throwing only 89 pitches in eight innings.
Hernandez worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth, striking out Alcides Escobar and retiring Billy Butler on a grounder.
Will Smith (1-3), just recalled from Triple-A Omaha, gave up four runs on eight hits in 6 1-3 innings, while walking two and striking out five
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