KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Brian Bannister tossed seven shutout
innings and the Kansas City Royals grabbed an early 8-to-0 lead in
an 8-to-1 rout of St. Louis.
Bannister is 3-and-3 after winning his third consecutive start.
He gave up seven hits and two walks while striking out a
season-high six.
Bannister hasn't allowed a run over his last 17 innings.
Esteban German had three hits and three R-B-Is, including a
two-run single in the Royals' five-run first. Mark Teahan and Jason
LaRue drove in two runs apiece as the Royals won for the third time
in four games.
The Cardinals avoided their seventh shutout of the season when
Ryan Ludwick hit a pinch-hit homer in the ninth.
Brad Thompson was rocked for eight runs and ten hits in four and
a-third to fall to 4-and-2.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
