(AP) - Luke Hochevar tossed his second career shutout, Eric Hosmer homered and Yuniesky Betancourt drove in three runs to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 8-0 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Alcides Escobar and Alex Gordon both had three hits for the Royals, who were coming off an embarrassing sweep at the hands of St. Louis in which they were outscored 30-14.
Hochevar (5-7) provided some much-needed rest for their weary bullpen.
The mercurial right-hander struck out eight while walking only one in his second straight dominant outing. The same starter who had been allowing a run per inning earlier this season has gone 16 2-3 innings without allowing anybody to cross home plate.
Alex Cobb (3-4) managed his first career complete game for Tampa Bay, allowing 13 hits in falling to 1-4 in his last five starts.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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