Royals Continue Their Sick Start

Kansas City Manager Tony Pena is in no rush to find a cure for his flu-ridden Royals.

The Royals became the first team in 13 years to begin the season with eight consecutive wins, beating the Cleveland Indians, 1-0, Friday night behind seven sharp innings from Runelvys Hernandez at Cleveland.

“Sure, let’s keep it going,” Pena said when asked if he wouldn’t mind the flu bug lingering as long as the Royals kept winning.

“We started the game with 16 guys sick, Mike Sweeney got it during the game and our closer was sick in the bullpen. That’s 18.”

Rookie Mike MacDougal made it six for six on save chances as the surprising Royals extended the best start in team history.

The last major league club to start 8-0 was the 1990 Cincinnati Reds, who went on to win the World Series.

Hernandez (3-0) gave up seven hits, struck out four, and lowered his earned-run average to 0.45. Jason Grimsley pitched a perfect eighth.

Texas 4, Seattle 2 -- Rafael Palmeiro hit his 494th homer, passing Lou Gehrig for 19th place on the career list, and the Rangers overcame Chan Ho Park’s wildness to win at Seattle.

Palmeiro hit a two-run shot in the fifth inning, leaving him six home runs shy of becoming the second player to reach the 500-mark this season. Chicago Cub slugger Sammy Sosa did it April 4.

Chicago 5, Detroit 0 -- The Tigers became the first team to lose its first nine games in consecutive seasons, falling to the White Sox at Detroit.

Minnesota 6, Toronto 4 -- Corey Koskie drove in three runs at Toronto to help the Twins end a six-game losing streak.

Baltimore at Boston, ppd. -- The Red Sox’s home opener was postponed because of rain and will be made up today as part of a day-night doubleheader.

Tampa Bay at New York, ppd. -- The game between the Devil Rays and Yankees was postponed by rain. It will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on June 17.