Luke Hochevar may be terrific in his start at Yankee Stadium tonight. Wouldn’t be the first time. Then again, he may get shelled. Wouldn’t be the first time for that, either.</p><p>Royals manager Trey Hillman isn’t making any guesses on whether Hochevar is any closer to eliminating the big innings that have ballooned his ERA to 5.98.</p><p>“I can’t predict what’s going to happen,” Hillman said. “Sometimes it’s making (high-)quality pitches, sometimes it’s (high-)quality pitches getting hit. You guys ask me the question after the ballgames, from this perspective (in the dugout), it looks like he’s making mistake pitches, getting too much plate.</p><p>“You go watch the video … in Luke’s defense, 50 percent of the time in his big innings they’ve hit some nasty pitches. It’s a combination of not getting breaks, sometimes you’ve got to tip your hat, sometimes you’ve got to make better pitches. I don’t think it’s 100 percent of any of those categories. I think it’s a combination of all three.”</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Betancourt stars</span></strong></p><p>If not for Zack Greinke (and Joakim Soria), shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt would have been the talk of this game.</p><p>Betancourt went three for three, including a three-run homer in the second inning that gave Greinke a comfortable lead to work with.</p><p>This came after a horrendous three-game stretch in which Betancourt made four errors.</p><p>“He had a huge game for us,” Hillman said. “He came through in a big way for us (with the homer). It let us breathe a little bit easier.”</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Butler’s exhibit</span></strong></p><p>Billy Butler’s bat, ball, spikes and an autographed lineup card from Saturday’s game — when he hit his 50th double — were on display at the team Hall of Fame by Sunday.</p><p>Butler’s doubles rank second in the American League and second in franchise history.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Swartz honored</span></strong></p><p>With the entire team standing behind him in support, Royals trainer Nick Swartz threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday’s game.</p><p>Swartz is retiring at the end of the season. He’s been with the Royals since 1977, including the last 19 as head trainer.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Etc.</span></strong></p><p>•The Royals drew 1,797,887 fans, their largest total since 1993 (1,934,578). That total currently ranks 22nd in baseball and 11th in the American League.</p><p>•David DeJesus remained away from the Royals because of an illness. Hillman wasn’t sure whether DeJesus would travel to New York with the team.</p><p>•John Bale is expected to be available to pitch starting today. Dusty Hughes was available on Sunday.</p><p>•The Royals have all but officially ruled out Kyle Davies pitching again this season.</p><p>•Hillman said Gil Meche’s bullpen sessions have been encouraging, his shoulder pain-free and stronger. Meche remains out for the season.