Kansas City starter Jason Hammel had to jog his memory on what to do after a win. It had been that long for Hammel, who was making his 290th career start Tuesday night.
He earned his first victory of the season, helped by home runs by Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez in a 5-1 win by the Royals over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Hammel (1-5) has been winless in his previous 13 starts dating back to his last win Sept. 6, 2017. He also had been winless in his previous seven road starts.
Hammel went seven innings, giving up nine hits and a run to help the Royals win for the second time in 10 games. He struck out six and hit a batter with no walks.
Kansas City added two runs in the ninth of struggling reliever Greg Holland, a former Royal, who did not get any of the four batters he faced out.
Holland, who sports an 8.76 ERA, left to a chorus of boos as he did Saturday against visiting Minnesota. It was his third consecutive poor outing for the three-time All-Star.
