Cleveland ? Brian Bannister has tried to imitate Paul Byrd.

The Kansas City right-hander issued no walks in his second straight winning start, and newly promoted Joey Gathright gave the Royals an immediate boost in a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.

“I tried to throw a lot of first-pitch strikes,” Bannister (2-3) said after beating Byrd (6-2), whose strike-throwing style he admires.

“One of my favorite pitchers is Paul Byrd,” said the 26-year-old son of former big-leaguer Floyd Bannister. “He knows how to pitch. He’s a good guy to emulate.”

For seven innings, Bannister baffled an Indians offense that had hit .303 and averaged 6.3 runs over its previous 23 games. He allowed one unearned run and four hits – following up his best career start of five days earlier.

Gathright, recalled from the minors in the afternoon when 2003 AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa was designated for assignment, had two hits, a stolen base, sacrifice bunt and run scored.

“He gives us some energy,” Royals manager Buddy Bell said of Gathright, who hit .374 at Triple-A Omaha since April 26.

“I just tried to do my job,” Gathright said. “I’m happy to help the team.”

Kansas City ended a three-game losing streak and won for only the third time in 13 games.