KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The gamble taken by the Kansas City Royals on the recovery of Kris Medlen is paying dividends.
The right-hander, who had two Tommy John surgeries in the past five years, costing him all but two games in 2011 and the entire 2014 season, on Monday made his first start since September 2013, when he last pitched for the Atlanta Braves.
He was greeted rudely by the Baltimore Orioles, who jumped on him for a pair of first-inning runs, but he settled down after allowing a third run in the fourth. Medlen retired the last seven batters he faced. He turned in a quality start, going six innings while allowing three runs on five hits and no walks, fanning six.
The Royals emerged with an 8-3 victory, and Medlen got the win.
Efficiency with his pitches was a key element for Medlen, who began the night with a 70-pitch limit. He only needed 69 to get through six innings, though, and went deeper than expected by Royals manager Ned Yost.
“We were hoping for five (innings),” Yost said. “And when he got through five he was like 59, 57 (pitches) … something like that. I said, ‘I’m going to send him back out’. (Royals pitching coach) Dave (Eiland) said, ‘He’s been up and down five times’. I said, ‘I think he’s going to be all right.’ It was big.”
After nearly two years between big-league victories, Medlen now has two in his past three appearances. He was the winner in relief in the Royals’ 3-1, 13-inning win at Cincinnati on Aug. 18.
The three runs Medlen allowed Monday were the only runs he has allowed this year since his first appearance, July 20, when he permitted four runs in a 10-7 loss to Pittsburgh. In the interim, Medlen kept opponents scoreless over 11 innings, allowing just six hits and five walks while striking out 10 in six appearances.