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  Thursday, Jul. 13 8:05pm ET
Brewers pitcher shows family Wright stuff
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- From Oklahoma City to Kansas City is a boring, nearly featureless six-hour drive up Interstate 35. Several carloads of Jamey Wright fans were delighted they made the trip. Pitching for a crowd of friends and family, the Oklahoma City native went seven innings and won his fourth straight road decision Thursday night as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2. "I had my wife and family all here today. That helps," said Wright (5-2). "Everybody's from Oklahoma City, like 80 people."

Jeromy Burnitz and Marquis Grissom hit first-inning home runs as the first four Brewer batters all scored against Blake Stein (0-2). The Brewers led 5-0 after two.

"That makes it so much easier to go out there and pitch my game, try to go right after guys, throw a lot of strikes and let them hit the ball, let the guys behind me make the plays," Wright said.

The 25-year-old right-hander gave up one run and eight hits in seven innings, walking four and striking out three while leading the Brewers to their fourth win in five games. He benefited from three double plays.

"It was a struggle out there for him," Milwaukee manager Davey Lopes said. "But he made the good pitch every time he had to."

All-Star Bob Wickman pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 18 chances.

Stein was making his second start after breaking a bone in his right forearm during spring training and pitched effectively after the horrible first inning.

Ron Belliard singled leading off and Grissom homered into the Brewers' bullpen. Geoff Jenkins walked and Burnitz followed with his 18th homer.

Grissom's sacrifice fly made it 5-0 in the second.

Then Stein, after giving up five runs and six hits and two walks in the first two innings, allowed just one hit and two walks in the next four. In all he gave up five runs and seven hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking three.

"I wish I could take back the first four batters, or start the game at 7:45, one or the other," Stein said. "I think I was aiming the ball instead of just throwing it. After the first inning, I had a fastball, slider and changeup. It was just a little too late."

Jeff Reboulet's RBI single in the seventh stopped an 0-for-19 skid. Mark Quinn homered in the eighth off David Weathers.

Milwaukee turned double plays in the second, third and fourth, raising their NL-leading total to 106. In the second, the Royals had runners at first and third with no out when Dave McCarty lined hard toward right field. But first baseman Tyler Houston made a lunging catch and then stepped on the bag for the easy double play.

Kansas City loaded the bases with two out in the fifth but Wright got Mike Sweeney to hit a weak grounder back to the mound.

Game notes
Wright has pitched at least seven innings in six of his last eight starts. ... The Royals' major league-leading total of home runs allowed climbed to 148. ... Thursday was the 33rd wedding anniversary of Royals manager Tony Muser. ... The Brewers are 5-5 against AL Central teams this year and 10-5 when Burnitz homers. Burnitz has reached safely in 35 of his last 40 games. ... In an 18-game stretch in which the Royals play 15 at home, they are 4-9 thus far. ... C Jorge Fabregas got Jose Hernandez on a snap throw to first to end the Brewers eighth.
 


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