Hochevar snaps seven-start winless skid

Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar beat the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday for his first victory since July 31. To say he earned it would be a stretch. To say he pitched well would be an exaggeration.

However, the Kansas City offense would not let Hochevar lose this one, pounding out 14 hits in a 10-5 victory over the Twins and taking advantage of Ryan Doumit's three errors in the eighth inning to score four runs.

Manager Ned Yost got Hochevar out after five innings, the required minimum for a starter to claim a victory. Hochevar allowed five runs on six hits and four walks, throwing 66 strikes in 110 pitches before he was replaced by left-hander Tim Collins.

Hochevar's ERA actually went up from 5.36 to 5.46. Still, he ended a seven-game drought without a victory, improving his record to 8-13. Six of Hochevar's eight victories have come on the road.

Part of his success Wednesday was keeping the ball inside Target Field. He had yielded five home runs in his previous three starts, but he allowed none against Minnesota.