Madson gets milestone in comeback with win

SEATTLE -- The long road back to the big leagues reached another milestone for Royals reliever Ryan Madson: He got his first win since Sept. 7, 2011, as the Royals beat the Mariners, 8-2, on Wednesday night.

"It felt good but I really think Danny [Duffy] deserved it, not me," Madson said. "He's the one who worked hard and gave us a good start. He earned it."

Perhaps, but Madson turned in 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and lowered his ERA to 1.82 -- not bad for a guy who hadn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2011 before this season.

"I guess getting the win is kind of a trophy," he said, smiling. "That's been the hard part, trying to figure out all the milestones. I'm just happy to be back and being able to contribute."

Madson came into the game with a 7-1 lead in the fifth. But there were two runners on and Nelson Cruz looming at the plate.

"One swing of the bat and it's 7-4 and they feel they're right back in it," manager Ned Yost said.

Cruz hit a ground ball that ate up shortstop Alcides Escobar and a run scored to make it 7-2. But Madson then got Kyle Seager to hit a soft liner to second for the third out.

Madson had Tommy John surgery in 2012, but fought too much pain to make a comeback until this season.

"Like I said, I'm just happy to contribute again," Madson said. "That's what I focus on."