Chris Young lights-out as Royals take opener from Cardinals

Young dominates as Royals top Cards

Lanky right-hander Chris Young continued his outstanding start to the 2015 season on Friday night, tossing six shutout innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 5-0 win in the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Young (4-0, 0.78) scattered half-a-dozen base hits, walking two and striking out a pair, before handing things over to the Kansas City bullpen, which allowed just two base hits in three innings of work – all without turning to the bona-fide back-end names we’ve all come to know in the last year.

He was staked to an early lead when Kendrys Morales launched a three-run shot off Cardinals’ right-hander Lance Lynn in the bottom of the first inning, scoring both Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain. Morales added another homer, his sixth of the season, in the third – accounting for all five Kansas City runs on the night.

Lynn (3-4, 3.46) was roughed up for five earned on ten hits. The right-hander struck out four and walked one, racking up 101 pitches in his six innings of work. The bright spot for the Cardinals’ pitching staff was once-again Carlos Villanueva, who tossed two more scoreless innings of relief, lowering his earned run average to 0.45.

Matt Carpenter, per usual, paced the St. Louis offense, going 3-for-4 on the night. Yadier Molina also added a pair of hits, as the two accounted for five of the Redbirds’ eight base hits on the night. In clutch situations, the Cardinals struggled, going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Morales, who is now batting .305 in his first season with Kansas City, went 3-for-4 with the two long-balls and five runs batted in. Cain logged a pair of hits, while catcher Salvador Perez also added three base knocks, including a double, in the win.

What’s Next:

St. Louis (27-15) will look to rebound with veteran right-hander John Lackey (2-2, 2.96) on the hill on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium. He will be opposed by righty Edinson Volquez (3-3, 2.74). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT.

Next: Memphis Redbirds make it five-straight wins