Kansas City, Mo. ? Kyle Davies matched a career high with eight strikeouts in eight innings and combined with closer Joakim Soria on a four-hitter, lifting the Kansas City Royals to a 3-0 victory over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Monday night.

Davies (7-7) had scuffled over the past month or so, going 1-5 with a 5.34 ERA in six starts, in part because of high pitch counts.

Davies worked quickly and efficiently against the Mariners, getting ahead in the count with fastballs, then dropping in curveballs and change-ups to keep them off-balance.

“That’s, by far, the No. 1 outing of the year,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said.

For a team that’s been out of the pennant race for months, this short K.C. run of four straight wins has been nice.

“They’re having fun in the dugout and having fun doing it at the plate,” Hillman said. “I would say that they’re more relaxed.”

Soria worked the ninth for his 38th save in 41 chances.