MILWAUKEE — The ninth inning for the Milwaukee Brewers’ new closer by committee was as adventurous as some of Eric Gagne’s recent outings. There was one difference, though: the Brewers held on for the win.
With Gagne yanked from the closer’s role Sunday after faltering in back-to-back outings, relievers Salomon Torres and Brian Shouse helped make Jeff Suppan’s seven solid innings stand up by holding on for a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
“I feel good about every reliever I’ve got down there,” Brewers manager Ned Yost said. “These guys make their money by being ready.”

KANSAS CITY — Twelve straight losses to the Baltimore Orioles was a dirty dozen for Kansas City Royals.
Brian Bannister allowed two singles in eight innings and the Royals beat Baltimore 4-0 Sunday to end their skid against the Orioles.
It was Kansas City’s first victory over Baltimore since July 25, 2006.

MILWAUKEE — Jason Isringhausen got his wish.
After blowing his major league-leading fifth save on Friday night in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals’ embattled reliever will no longer close games, manager Tony La Russa said Saturday.
“He’s still prepared to pitch important innings, but for a while we’ll try to keep him out of the ninth inning,” La Russa said. “If we’re playing well, there’s still going to be games where you can’t cherry pick his situations because if we’re playing well, you need your bullpen.”

MILWAUKEE — Eric Gagne no longer wants to be called the Brewers’ closer. He’s pitching his way out of that role, anyway.
The former NL Cy Young Award winner gave up a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning to Ryan Ludwick, and St. Louis held on for a 5-3 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday that snapped a season-long three-game skid.
“I don’t deserve that ninth inning right now. It’s pretty simple,” Gagne said.

KANSAS CITY — Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora homered, Steve Trachsel earned his first victory since April 4 and the Baltimore Orioles beat Kansas City 7-4 Friday night for their 11th straight victory over the Royals.

KANSAS CITY — Daniel Cabrera threw a three-hitter to remain perfect against Kansas City, Nick Markakis backed him with a three-run homer, and the Baltimore Orioles snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory against the Royals on Thursday night.

KANSAS CITY — David DeJesus and Alex Gordon both homered and the Kansas City Royals, the lowest-scoring team in the AL, banged out 14 hits in a 9-4 victory Wednesday night over Jered Weaver and the Los Angeles Angels.

KANSAS CITY — Garret Anderson homered for the second straight game and drove in five runs to lift the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

KANSAS CITY — Appearing embarrassed and uncomfortable, John Bale apologized Monday for punching a door and breaking his pitching hand.
“I’d like to apologize first of all to the Royals organization, my teammates, my coaching staff, for my action. It was uncalled for,” the left-hander said. “It was, you know, a moment of frustration and I wish I could do anything I could to take it back. But I can’t.”
Exactly why Bale slammed his hand into a door in his hotel room in Cleveland on Friday remained a mystery. After issuing a brief statement in front of his locker Monday, he walked away without taking questions. Royals manager Trey Hillman later said “no comment” when asked if he knew what had been bugging the pitcher, who was probably headed to the bullpen after coming back from the disabled list for shoulder fatigue.

CLEVELAND — A little over a month into the season and Cleveland manager Eric Wedge is searching for answers as the Indians struggle to score runs.
Sunday's 2-0 loss to Kansas City provided even more frustration for Wedge. Gil Meche pitched seven shutout innings and a throwing error by third baseman Casey Blake broke a scoreless tie in the fifth.
Cleveland, which was held to four hits, didn't advance a runner to third base and got only one runner to second. Following the game, Wedge hinted some roster changes might be ahead. The Indians have scored three runs or less 16 times in 31 games.