Hochevar Silences Critics With Shutout Win Over White Sox

After a week of questions about his viability as a Major League starter, Luke Hochevar turned in one of his strongest starts of the season. Hochevar allowed just three hits over seven innings, walked just one, and struck out five. Thanks to seven innings of zeroes, Hochevar now has an ERA of 7.20.

As Jeff wrote earlier in the week, Hochevar struggles mightily with men on base, which is part of why by FIP, or xFIP he's always painted as an unlucky or fundamentally sound pitcher. Well, tonight, hardly anyone was on base, which is one way to avoid the issue.

The game was also marked by Greg Holland's return. Holland struck out three and walked one in one inning worth of work.

The Royals jumped on Chris Sale in the first inning, despite consecutive bizarre decisions on the basepaths. Jarrod Dyson didn't score from second on a single, and then Giavotella didn't score on what should have been a standup double from Billy Butler. Oh well. It actually could have mattered, as Francoeur hit a double play ball (after swinging at the first two pitches from a guy who wasn't throwing strikes) but an error ended up getting two runs home anyway.

Also, Irving Falu is now hitting .500. And hey, Eric Hosmer had a single tonight.