Stevens’ Home Run All Burkett Needs

Lee Stevens hit a home run for the second consecutive night and John Burkett shut down Kansas City on Wednesday, carrying the Texas Rangers to a 2-0 victory over the Royals.

Burkett (1-1) gave up nine singles over 7 2/3 innings before Dan Patterson came on with two on and two outs and got Jay Bell to hit into a fielder’s choice groundout. John Wetteland pitched the ninth for his fourth save as the Royals were shut out at home for the first time since Sept. 27, 1995.

Jim Pittsley, making his first start in nearly two years, was the hard-luck loser, giving up only three hits in seven innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. The 6-foot-7 right-hander was called up from Omaha to replace the injured Chris Haney.

Pittsley walked Bill Ripken, a last-minute replacement for the ailing Mark McLemore, leading off the third. Ripken took second on an infield out and made it 2-0 when Ivan Rodriguez singled.

The victory was the third in a row for Texas while the Royals’ three-game winning streak ended.

Pittsley was supposed to be Kansas City’s top prospect, but days after making his major league debut in a no-decision at Toronto on May 23, 1995, he injured his elbow and missed the rest of the season.

He had surgery Aug. 4 that year and spent 1996 working his way back--going 10-2 in Wilmington, Wichita and Omaha.

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Kansas City Royals

WHERE: at Kansas City

WHEN: Saturday 11 a.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.