St. Petersburg, Fla — New Royals closer Roberto Hernandez struck out the side against his former teammates Tuesday, finishing a 9-3 victory over Tampa Bay.
The 36-year-old reliever saved 43 of 69 wins in 1999 and 32 a year ago when the Devil Rays also won 69 games.
Tuesday wasn't a save situation, but was significant nevertheless because Hernandez pitched on consecutive days for the first time this spring.
"I was ready about two weeks ago," he said.
Dee Brown went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs for the Royals, who scored four runs off Devil Rays starter Travis Harper. Brown had a two-run single in the second inning and a two-run double off Trevor Enders in the sixth.
Brian Meadows allowed one run on five hits and struck out five in five-plus innings, while Jon Nunnally hit a solo homer off Dan Wheeler in the eighth.
"He's a pitcher with major league stuff," Devil Rays manager Larry Rothschild said of Harper.
"He just needs to get his feet back on the ground."
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