Kansas City, Mo. ? Runelyvs Hernandez’s time in the minors seems to have paid off.

Hernandez gave up three runs in 71â3 innings as Kansas City beat Los Angeles 8-3 on Friday night.

He was recalled from Triple-A Omaha prior to the game and struck out six and walked three. The right-hander won his first start of the season, but then went 0-4 over his next six starts before being demoted to Omaha on May 28.

“I’ve been working really hard in Omaha and I was expecting to get something better like this,” Hernandez (2-4) said. “I felt really comfortable. I don’t hate the minor leagues. It’s a good example of if you make a mistake you have to pay for it.”

He took Scott Elarton’s spot in the rotation. Elarton was placed on the disabled list July 18 with a shoulder injury that may cost him the rest of the season. The Royals have not released details, but manager Buddy Bell said Thursday that it looks like Elarton could be done for the season.

Bell was very pleased with Hernandez’ efforts Friday.

“He really had great command with every pitch he had–his change-up, his breaking ball. His fastball had some movement,” Bell said. “The only mistake he had was to (Maicer) Izturis, the last hitter he faced.

“Other than that he was pretty flawless.”

Kansas City Royals' Davie DeJesus (9) celebrates his three-run home run with teammate Joey Gathright. The third-inning bomb started the Royals' scoring in their 8-3 victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in Kansas City, Mo.

David DeJesus and Mark Grudzielanek each hit three-run homers to back Hernandez.

“I don’t know how many three-run home runs we’ve had this year, but it hasn’t been many,” Bell said. “We haven’t hit many home runs period. To get two (three-run home runs) in one game is pretty nice.

“Runelvys (Hernandez) pitches the same way, regardless of the score. But having the cushion makes it harder on the opponent.”

Bartolo Colon (1-5) gave up four runs and four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out one. It was the third straight loss for the Angels, who entered the four-game series having won 13 of their first 15 games to start the month of July.

“Bart, outside of the pitch to DeJesus that got back into the heart of the plate, didn’t pitch that poorly,” Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said. “If anything, the ball was up a little bit and moved too much. He pitched well enough to give us a chance to win.

“Hernandez did a good job of changing speeds. We couldn’t get much going.”

Kansas City took a 3-0 lead in the third inning on DeJesus’ three-run homer. With two runners on, DeJesus hit the first pitch 388 feet over the wall in right field, scoring Tony Graffanino and Joey Gathright. It was DeJesus’ fifth home run of the season. Graffanino led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a ground ball. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera flipped the ball to second baseman Adam Kennedy, who bobbled the throw, allowing Graffanino to be safe.

Los Angeles cut the lead to two in the fourth when Vladimir Guerrero scored on a wild pitch.

Kansas City extended the lead to 4-1 in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Mark Teahen.

The Royals scored four runs off reliever Brendan Donnelly in the seventh, including three on Grudzielanek’s home run. Gathright led off the seventh with a triple down the right-field line. DeJesus then walked before Grudzielanek’s fourth home run of the season. After Doug Mientkiewicz walked, Emil Brown hit a run-scoring double.

Izturis chased Hernandez with a two-run homer in the eighth to make it 8-3. It was Izturis’ second homer of the season.

Notes: The Royals drew four walks Friday, giving them 125 over their last 28 games, best in the major leagues over that span.