Kansas City Royals

Royals closer Greg Holland turned another save opportunity into a win for Kansas City Monday night in Cleveland. Holland earned his 15th save as he closed out the 2-1 victory. 

The reliever gave up a hit in the ninth, but struck out a batter and needed 19 pitches to get out of the inning. His ERA is 2.08. 

Holland has saves in five of his last six appearances with a win mixed in between. He rebounded after allowing a run in a save in his last outing at Tampa Bay Sunday. 

Royals starter James Shields pitched well Monday in Cleveland. Once again, however, he received little run support.

Shields left the game tied at one run apiece and settled for a no-decision. His record remains 2-6 despite a solid 2.72 ERA.

Shields gave up just a Carlos Santana solo homer in the sixth inning over 111 pitches and six solid frames. He gave up four hits total with four walks and five strikeouts.

Shields has gone 0-4 since his last win on April 30 against Tampa Bay. That said, he's given up two or fewer runs in four straight outings. Shields will look for a win in his next turn Sunday against the White Sox.

Royals right-hander Felipe Paulino, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, had a setback due to soreness and stiffness in his back, the Kansas City Star reports Monday.

Paulino's issue surfaced after beginning his rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas last week. He skipped his scheduled start Sunday as a precaution. He could be back Wednesday.

"We want to see him have a good side session and a functional return on fielding his position," trainer Nick Kenney said, "for us to feel comfortable with him pitching on Wednesday."

Paulino, 29, worked five scoreless frames on June 11 against Arkansas.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer produced his sixth multi-hit game in June Sunday against the Rays. Hosmer went 2 for 5 with one run.

Hosmer is batting .305 (18 for 59) with one home run, three doubles, six walks, seven RBI and 12 runs in 15 June games. He also has two stolen bases. 

Since May 19, Hosmer is batting .306 (33 for 108), raising his average from .244 to .272. Unfortunately, Hosmer continues to be plagued by a lack of home runs and RBI. He has just two home runs and 15 RBI in 43 games since May 1.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar had a three-hit afternoon during a win at Tampa Bay Sunday. Escobar singled home a run in the sixth inning and scored in the sixth and eighth innings in the win. 

He finished 3 for 4 with a double and is batting .247. Escobar has hit in four straight games and has gone 6 for 15 over that span with two doubles, a triple, two RBI and three runs scored.