WASHINGTON — Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen departed in the third inning of his start against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night in his first action since a return from the injured list.
Lorenzen (left hamstring) was activated pregame from the 15-day IL to make his first start since Aug. 27.
Lorenzen, who is 7-6 with a 3.43 ERA, struck out two batters, retired seven and did not allow a hit over 28 pitches. He departed with a 1-0 lead midway through Nasim Nuñez's at-bat after a visit from the training staff. Daniel Lynch IV entered and completed another scoreless frame.
The Royals (83-74) entered Wednesday in possession of the second AL wild card spot ahead of Detroit (83-74) based on their head-to-head record and two games in front of Minnesota and Seattle.
The Royals opened their three-game set in Washington with a 1-0, 10-inning win on Tuesday night to snap a seven-game slide and maintain their grasp on the second wild card. They will finish the season with a three-game set against Atlanta, which is currently a half-game back of the final NL wild card place.
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