Getz returns from DL, guides Royals to win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chris Getz got to join the fun Monday night after watching it from a far.
Getz went 3-for-4, drove in a run, scored a run and stole a base as the Kansas City Royals beat the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Monday night.
Getz was activated off the disabled list before the game after sitting out 15 days due to a left knee sprain. He had been keeping tabs on his teammates while rehabbing with Triple-A Omaha.
"I been watching a lot of the games on TV while I was on the rehab stint," Getz said. "Everyone looked like they were having so much fun on the field. I know what kind of fun they're having in here (the clubhouse), so I was real excited to get back and just be a part of it in anyway."
The Royals, who are 19-5 since the All-Star break, moved into second place in the American League Central. They passed the Cleveland Indians, who lost Monday to the Minnesota Twins.
"I guess that's a bonus," Getz said. "I didn't know that. We're obviously going through a good stretch right here and ride it out as long as we can. We're having a lot of fun. I'm just happy to contribute in any way."
Wade Davis (6-9) limited the Marlins to two runs and six hits over six innings. Davis had not started since Aug. 2, spending time on the family emergency leave list after the death of his stepbrother.
Four Kansas City relievers combined to blank the Marlins over the final three innings.
Logan Morrison and Greg Dobbs hit RBI doubles in the sixth for the only Miami runs.
Alcides Escobar delivered a run-producing triple in the Royals' three-run sixth, which included RBI singles by Jarrod Dyson and David Lough.
Billy Butler homered in the seventh to pad Kansas City's lead.
"Billy's getting hot now, which is a good thing for us," Royals manager Ned Yost said.
Miami starter Tom Koehler (3-8) gave up five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.
"They hit some balls hard the first three innings right at somebody," Koehler said. "I left the ball up and they took advantage.
"Consistency is something I've tried to build on, and obviously I haven't had it these last two outings. I just have to keep working."
Koehler, who allowed 14 runs in the first inning in his first 14 starts, held the Royals hitless until there were two outs in the fourth, when Mike Moustakas beat out an infield single. Moustakas scored on Justin Maxwell's triple to right-center.
Getz singled up the middle to score Maxwell, giving Kansas City a 2-0 lead.
"A big night for Chris Getz," Yost said. "He got us on board with the second run with the base hit up the middle, three hits, played great defensively. He just did a great job."
The Mariners loaded the bases in the fourth and seventh innings, but failed to convert it into a run.
"The two-out hit was elusive," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "We battled and got guys on base but just couldn't get the big hit."
NOTES: Moustakas left the game with left calf strain in the fifth inning. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday. "He felt it when Maxwell hit the triple," Yost said. "He felt it get tight when he rounded second base." ... The Royals optioned INF Irving Falu and LHP Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha to make roster space for Getz and INF Jamey Carroll, who was acquired Sunday in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Carroll struck out batting for Moustakas and remained in the game to play third. ... Royals LF Alex Gordon was with his wife for the birth of the couple's second child Monday. He likely will return and be in the lineup Tuesday. ... Marlins 3B Ed Lucas was drafted by the Royals in the eighth round in 2004 and spent seven years in their minor league system. The Marlins signed him as a minor league free agent last December. He went 0-for-4 Monday.
