Crown points

• Continuing to go for a strong defense, the Royals are keeping Eric Hosmer out of the outfield and platooning him with Billy Butler at first base in National League cities. That would mean Butler, on the bench in St. Louis, likely would go against left-handers J.A. Happ and Wandy Rodriguez in the next series at Houston.

• Closer Jonathan Broxton, after recording his 100th save on Friday night, marked another milestone on Saturday -- his 28th birthday.

• In the 15 games from May 29 through Friday night, Royals pitchers combined for a 2.89 ERA -- third-best in the Majors after the Yankees' 2.56 and the Giants' 2.71. Kansas City's record in that span was 9-6.