BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts heard the name Ted Williams, and that was enough for him.

Betts belted three solo homers and J.D. Martinez also went deep, powering the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old Betts, snapping a tie with Williams for most three-homer games in franchise history. Betts broke into the majors with the Red Sox in 2014, so he was well aware of the significance of the connection to the Hall of Famer.

“It’s pretty cool,” Betts said. “He hit .400 in a year and did a whole bunch of things I haven’t done. Just to know my name is amongst his is pretty cool.”

Betts also hit three homers in a 10-1 victory at the Angels on April 17. He is the first player in major league history with four three-homer games before turning 26, according to STATS.

“We’re trying to shut them down just to get Mookie another at-bat,” Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz said, smiling. “When he gets going like that, that’s pretty cool.”

AL East-leading Boston won for the third time in four games after losing 7-6 in 13 innings on Tuesday night.

Cheslor Cuthbert homered for Kansas City, and Drew Butera had a two-run double. The Royals were trying for consecutive wins for just the second time this season.

Danny Duffy (0-4) was tagged for five runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Pomeranz (1-1) worked six innings, giving up all three of his runs in the first two frames. Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his eighth save and 299th of his career a day after his first blown opportunity this season.

Unlike most of the early season games in Fenway Park, there was a summer-like feel with a game-time temperature of 86 degrees under bright-blue skies.

Betts led off the fourth with a drive to center for his ninth homer of the season. Hanley Ramirez walked with one out and Martinez followed with a drive to center, tying it at 3.

“I see Mookie Betts six times a year,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Going on a six-game look, a special player.”

Betts connected again in the fifth, sending a drive just inside the left-field foul pole into the Green Monster seats. His third homer of the game also came against Duffy, driving a 1-2 pitch over the wall in center in the seventh.

“I’m searching for outs. I’m tired of going out there and getting my butt kicked,” said Duffy, who is winless in his career against the Red Sox.

Kansas City closed to 5-4 on Cuthbert’s homer in the eighth, but Boston finished it off from there.

The umpiring crew had four calls overturned — including two by first-base umpire Fieldin Culbreth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: 3B Mike Moustakas returned to the starting lineup after just pinch-hitting on Tuesday. He was hit on the right forearm by a pitch in the series opener.

Red Sox: Betts started for the first time since leaving Saturday’s game with a tight right hamstring. … LHP Eduardo Rodriguez was placed on the family medical leave list and RHP Marcus Walden was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. Manager Alex Cora doesn’t know if the lefty will miss his turn in the rotation.

GET BACK

The Royals scored a strange run in the first.

With Jorge Soler on second and Whit Merrifield on third and one out, Salvador Perez hit a fly ball near the triangle in center.

Merrifield waved Soler back as he raced home. Soler was doubled up.

Perez was credited with a sacrifice fly because Merrifield crossed before the double play was completed.

ALLOWED BACK

Boston right-hander Joe Kelly returned after serving a six-game suspension for his part in a brawl with the Yankees last month. He pitched one scoreless inning.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Eric Skoglund (1-2, 6.23 ERA) starts Thursday afternoon at home against Detroit. He allowed one run in a career-high seven innings in his previous start.

Red Sox: LHP David Price (2-3, 3.78 ERA) starts Thursday night at Texas in the opener of a 10-game trip, tying the club’s longest this season. He is 4-5 with a 5.11 ERA in 14 career starts against the Rangers.

— Associated Press —

BOSTON (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a tying home run off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning, Jorge Soler hit a three-run homer against Brian Johnson in the 13th and the Kansas City Royals rallied for a 7-6 win over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

Boston led 3-2 before Gordon’s one-out drive off Kimbrel, who was trying for his 299th save but instead blew an opportunity for the first time in eight tries this season.

Jon Jay had four singles and a sacrifice fly in the 12th that put Kansas City up 4-3. But Eduardo Nunez homered against Kelvin Herrera (1-0) in the bottom half.

Gordon and Whit Merrifield singled off Johnson (1-1) ahead of Soler’s homer over the Green Monster.

Mitch Moreland singled leading off the bottom half against Burch Smith, who hit Xander Bogaerts with a pitch. Rafael Devers hit into a forceout, Brian Flynn relieved and Jackie Bradley Jr. had a run-scoring groundout. Christian Vazquez singled in a run, but Flynn got the first save of his five-year big league career when Nunez flied out to the center-field wall.

Chris Sale struck out six while allowing two runs — one earned — and five hits in seven innings. He was in position to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.

Jakob Junis pitched five scoreless innings for Kansas City before Boston tied the score in the sixth on Moreland’s homer and Bradley’s RBI single.

Brad Keller threw a run-scoring wild pitch in the seventh.

Alcides Escobar hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth, and the Royals took a 2-0 lead in the sixth when Lucas Duda got caught in a rundown while trying to steal second and Jay, who began the play on second, was able to come home.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: DH Mike Moustakas was out of the starting lineup after getting hit by a pitch on his right forearm in the first inning Monday. He came off the bench in the 10th and grounded out while pinch hitting for Cheslor Cuthbert.

Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts (tight right hamstring) was out of the lineup a third straight game because of a tight right hamstring that forced him out Saturday. Betts took over in right field in the ninth.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (0-3, 5.40 ERA) makes his team-high seventh start, still searching for his first win. Duffy is 0-4 in six starts against Boston, the only AL team he has yet to beat.

Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 7.27) gets his third start of the season after missing the first 18 games with a forearm injury.

— Associated Press —

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox slammed their way through their most wins in April ever.

Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam over the Green Monster and Boston finished April by beating the Kansas City Royals 10-6 on Monday night.

Mitch Moreland hit a solo homer and had three hits along with Bogaerts for the Red Sox, who posted their 19th victory in April. They had reached 18 three times, the last coming in their World Series-winning 2013 season.

It was Boston’s sixth slam of the season — all coming in April — and tied them with 1996 Montreal Expos for most ever in the majors by May 1. The Red Sox didn’t even hit one last season.

“I didn’t hit a grand slam in my career, it’s not because of me,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, breaking into a smile.

Bogaerts had a simple answer.

“Especially with the bases loaded, we’re getting some good swings,” he said. “I think we’ve been really selective and looking for some good pitches to hit.”

Despite playing, at times, in lousy conditions at home — like Monday night when it was chilly night with temperatures in the mid-40s and a light rain falling most of the game — the Red Sox offense continues to hit homers unlike the team that was last in the AL in 2017.

“It’s not the best weather to play in,” Bogaerts said. “But, it’s playable.”

Whit Merrifield had three hits and two RBI for the Royals, who were coming off their first consecutive wins this season.

Hector Velazquez (4-0), the first of three relievers, worked two scoreless innings of relief for the victory.

Trailing 3-0, Boston scored a run in the second on Moreland’s homer and five off Jason Hammel (0-3) in a third inning highlighted by Bogaerts’ slam that completely left Fenway Park. Moreland drew a bases-loaded walk for the other run.

“I thought that Jason’s first couple of innings were good and then he really started to fight it himself a little bit in the third,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “The grand slam was a pitch that was up and in, which I don’t think he was trying to go there.”

Boston fell in the 3-0 hole in the first when starter Eduardo Rodriguez gave up three runs on three walks, two singles and a hit batsman.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar was back in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game with a bruised left hand from being hit by a pitch. … DH Mike Moustakas was hit by a pitch and came out with a bruised left forearm.

Red Sox: Cora decided to give OF Mookie Betts a second straight day off because of a tight right hamstring that forced him out Saturday. “I feel like not starting today is going to benefit him, but if we need it late in the game, we’ll use him,” Cora said.

PRESS BOX CONFUSION

The Royals made a late lineup change, which caused confusion in the press box when everyone thought the club had moved its DH to third base after Moustakas had to leave in the first.

It would have forced pitcher Hammel to hit.

The problem was: The Royals had given a new lineup to the umpires from the one posted in the press box and on Fenway’s scoreboards that had Moustakas at third base and Cheslor Cuthbert as the DH.

Cuthbert came in at third base at the bottom of the first.

GONE EARLY

Both starting pitchers were out by the fifth inning.

Rodriguez gave up five runs, walked three, hit two batters and struck out six in four.

Hammel was tagged for eight runs on eight hits in 4 2/3.

SPECIAL GUESTS

The Royals’ traveling party had 28 extra guests because they were invited to bring their dads or brothers on the trip.

“I really, really enjoy it — a chance to come to Fenway. They went on a tour here, a private tour. I think they all enjoyed that,” Yost said. “It’s just a phenomenal trip together being able to share three days like this.”

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (3-2, 3.34 ERA) hopes to rebound Tuesday from a miserable previous start when gave up a club-record tying five homers against the White Sox.

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (2-1, 2.31) looks to continue his strong run, having allowed three or fewer runs — one or less four times — in his initial six starts.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It took the Kansas City Royals 27 games, but they finally have a winning streak.

Cheslor Cuthbert homered twice and drove in four runs as the Royals won back-to-back games for the first time this season, defeating the Chicago White Sox 5-4 Sunday.

Whit Merrifield singled home Alcides Escobar, who was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning, with the go-ahead run in the eighth off Bruce Rondon (1-1). Escobar left in the ninth with a left hand contusion.

“It’s been a struggle for us so far,” Merrifield said. “That was a big one. Hopefully that can get us over the hump and we can have more of those.”

Cuthbert, who had not homered since August 20 — a span on 109 at-bats — drove a Hector Santiago pitch into the White Sox bullpen in the fourth to snap an 0-for-14.

“Finally,” Cuthbert said. “It’s really fun to have a game like that and for us to get a win.”

He homered in the fifth with Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler aboard off Chris Volstad. It was Cuthbert’s second career multi-homer game. The other was June 11, 2016.

“I feel like it was a pretty good pitch, down and in,” Volstad said. “He just dropped the barrel of the bat on it and he hit it pretty high. I didn’t know if it was going to get out or not. It barely did.”

Royals starter Ian Kennedy left after five innings with a 4-2 lead, but reliever Brian Flynn could not hold it.

“It’s been frustrating overall all, just trying to find those back-to-back wins,” Kennedy said.

Daniel Palka doubled home two White Sox runs in the fourth, giving him five RBI in two games.

Santiago was making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances and was removed after 4 2/3 innings and 86 pitches.

“I felt great in that fifth inning,” he said. “I think they were kind of thinking 85. It’s baby steps when you’re coming out of the pen and trying to get to stretched out to 100 pitches. They’re always cautious about that big jump from 50 to 100 in one outing.”

Leury Garcia’s two-out triple in the sixth scored Trayce Thompson, cutting the Royals lead to 4-3. Nicky Delmonico’s run-producing double in the seventh tied the score.

The Royals loaded the bases with nobody out in the seventh, but failed to score. Kansas City is 4-for-25, .160, with the bases loaded this season.

“That’s how it is been going for us,” Merrifield said. “It really couldn’t have gotten much worse for us as far as runners on third and less than two out, all that kind of stuff.”

Brandon McCarthy (2-0) picked up the victory, while Blaine Boyer logged his fifth career save and his first since May 29, 2016 while with Milwaukee.

SPEAKING

“Somehow from spring to the beginning of the season, I just completely got out of whack,” said Boyer, who has a 15.00 ERA in nine innings. “It’s frustrating after 19 years in the game and you feel like you fall off a bicycle and you get back on and don’t know how to ride it again. I’m glad to be back to my normal self.”

NOT OVER YET

The quarrel between Royals catcher Perez and White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson may not be finished. The two exchanged words Saturday after Perez thought Anderson celebrated too much after a leadoff home run. “I play this game with my heart and I put a lot of work into it and I’m not going to change because of that,” Anderson said. “It’s not the first incident and it’s probably not going to be the last.” The two teams meet 12 more times this season with the next nine in Chicago. “(Matt) Davidson, he has a pretty good season here, nobody to hit him, you know,” Perez said. “He hits the ball, homer and runs hard. Why you gotta hit him? No. But if you’re gonna do that (bleep) to us, we’re gonna hit you. We will tell the pitcher, `hit him.” Davidson has seven home runs against the Royals this season.

RENTERIA RETURNS

White Sox manager Rick Renteria returned after missing the three games Friday and Saturday to attend his mother’s funeral services in Austin, Texas. “Our family is very grateful to everybody,” he said. “We had a lot of outpouring from the game. My family’s very thankful for that. We think she’s in a much better place now. We see her laughing in our mind’s eye, now. I’m sure she’ll be up there cheering the White Sox on with my dad and probably arguing (with the umpires) out there with me every now and then.” He said he received game reports updates while away. “Kind of kept up with everything,” Renteria said.

UP NEXT

White Sox: After an off-day Monday, RHP James Shields will start Tuesday at St. Louis. He is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts.

Royals: RHP Jason Hammel will start Monday at Boston in the opener of a three-game series.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Eric Skoglund overcame a leadoff homer by Tim Anderson that led to a bench-clearing incident, pitching Kansas City past the Chicago White Sox 5-2 to end the Royals’ five-game losing streak and give them a split of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader.

Anderson celebrated as he rounded the bases and Royals catcher Salvador Perez said something to him as he crossed the plate.

In the bottom of the first, Perez reached on an error and moved to second base when Lucas Duda walked to load the bases. There, Perez and Anderson, the shortstop, had more words as both dugouts and bullpens emptied.

No punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Perez and Anderson shook hands.

The White Sox won the opener 8-0 as Carson Fulmer allowed four singles over seven innings and Daniel Palka had four hits and drove in three runs.

Skoglund (1-2) pitched seven impressive innings to pick up his first win in nearly a year. He retired 15 straight after Anderson’s homer.

Skoglund permitted just two hits and struck out a career-high nine. His only other victory was May 30, 2017, in his big league debut.

Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his fifth save in as many opportunities.

Alex Gordon drove in his first three runs of the season for Kansas City. He had a two-out, two-run single in a three-run first.

Dylan Covey (0-1) allowed four runs, three unearned after left fielder Leury Garcia’s first-inning error, over six innings.

Covey, just recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, is 0-8 in 13 major league starts.

Jorge Soler and Perez hit back-to-back doubles in the fifth for the other Kansas City run.

Fulmer (2-1) left after 109 pitches, walked three and struck out three. In his past two starts, he has allowed seven hits and two runs over 13 innings.

Palka, who was hitless in his first eight at-bats since debuting Wednesday, was a triple shy of a cycle. He hit a three-run homer in the seventh off Burch Smith.

Trevor Oaks (0-1), who was the Royals’ 26h man, gave up five runs on 12 hits over five innings in his major league debut.

WALKING MAN

Soler has walked in nine consecutive games, the longest streak in the majors this season.

BUCHHOLZ UPDATE

Royals RHP Clay Buchholz allowed one earned run on four hits over five innings in a no-decision in a start for Triple-A Omaha at Colorado Springs. The 33-year-old, who was a two-time AL All-Star with Boston, is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three minor league starts. He signed a minor league contract in late March with the Royals with an out clause if not added to the big league roster by Tuesday.

UP NEXT

The Royals will start RHP Ian Kennedy in the series finale. He left his previous start after three innings with a bruised toe from a line drive. The White Sox have not yet announced their starter.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Davidson is disproving the notion power hitters don’t like Kauffman Stadium.

Davidson hit two of Chicago’s five home runs, leading the White Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

Davidson, who drove in three runs, has seven home runs this season — five against the Royals in Kansas City. He hit three out in the season opener March 29. In this game, he homered in the fourth and then hit a two-run shot in the sixth that went 450 feet to left-center.

“It’s something about the Kansas City barbecue has gotten him going,” said White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito (1-3). “I come in after an inning, and guys are hitting home runs left and right and it makes me feel good. I’m ready to get back out there and put another zero on the board.”

Davidson is 6 for 10 with five home runs in three games this season at the Royals’ ballpark.

“I do love barbecue in general,” Davidson said. “It’s one of those things. It’s not like when I come here, `like man, I can’t wait to get here.’ It’s kind of a big park and the green backdrop. You see the ball well here.

“It’s pretty cool hitting here. It’s not necessarily a hitter’s park, but it’s gone pretty well so far. We’ve won every day we’ve been here. So let’s keep it going.”

Yoan Moncada homered to open the first inning for Chicago for the second straight game, and Yolmer Sanchez and Trayce Thompson also went deep against Jakob Junis (3-2), who became the third pitcher in franchise history to allow five homers in a game. The others were Chris Young, May 9, 2016 at the New York Yankees, and Sean O’Sullivan, May, 28, 2011 at Texas.

Junis gave up six runs and six hits with two walks over 5 2/3 innings.

“A few of them were up and out over the plate and they took advantage of them,” Junis said. “Pretty rare to give up five homers on six hits in a game. That’s never really happened to me. When you give up six, you’re not really getting it done.”

The Royals went 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

“We’re getting guys on,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We’re getting opportunities. We’re just struggling to get that big base hit.”

Giolito allowed two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. His only hiccup was a Jorge Soler home run with Mike Moustakas aboard in the fourth.

The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the eighth and managed to score a run on Alcides Escobar’s two-out single. Joakim Soria worked a scoreless ninth for his third save in four chances.

The White Sox picked up just their second victory in 11 games. The Royals dropped to a major league-worst 1-10 at home.

ROSTER MOVES

The White Sox sent 1B Casey Gillaspie outright off the 40-man roster. Gillaspie, a 2014 first-round pick of the Rays, was hitting .214 with 29 strikeouts in 76 at-bats with Triple-A Charlotte. … The White Sox acquired OF Todd Cunningham from the Pirates for future considerations. He has spent parts of three seasons in the majors with the Braves and Angels.

FARQUHAR UPDATE

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said RHP Danny Farquhar has been able to go on light walks with his wife as he continues to improve. He remains in stable condition in intensive care after suffering a brain aneurysm Saturday and collapsing in the dugout.

RENTERIA’S MOTHER DIES

Renteria’s mother, Angela, 91, died Wednesday. Renteria will miss the White Sox games Friday and Saturday to attend services in Austin, Texas.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: 1B Jose Abreu was not in the lineup with flu-like symptoms, which caused him to exit in the fourth inning Wednesday. … LF Nicky Delmonico was scratched with a stiff neck. Traycie Thompson replaced him in the lineup.

Royals: RHP Nathan Karns, who is on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, threw a 25-pitch one inning simulated game. … RHP Ian Kennedy has the clearance to start Sunday after leaving his Tuesday start with a bruised toe.

UP NEXT

White Sox: RHP Reynaldo Lopez has not allowed more than four hits or two runs in any of his four starts.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy was pulled after 4 2/3 innings in his previous start, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks at Detroit.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jhoulys Chacin efficiently mowed through the Kansas City lineup, Milwaukee manufactured four runs in the fourth inning and the Brewers went on to beat the Royals 6-2 on Wednesday night for their eighth consecutive victory.

Chacin (2-1) did not allow a hit until two outs in the fourth. The veteran right-hander wound up allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while working into the sixth inning.

Milwaukee’s bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, running its streak to 28 straight.

The Brewers scored all they needed off Jason Hamel (0-2) in the fourth inning on two hits, a walk, an error and a pair of sacrifice flies. Only three of the runs were earned after outfielder Jorge Soler dropped a would-be flyout to the groans of about 5,000 fans that braved the cold, wet weather.

The winning streak for Milwaukee matches its longest since June and July 2015, when the club also won eight straight. The run began with two wins over Cincinnati and included a four-game sweep of Miami before taking both midweek interleague matchups with the Royals.

Chacin tossed six shutout innings in beating the Marlins last week, and he was nearly as dominant Wednesday night. He held the Royals hitless until Mike Moustakas went deep with two out in the fourth, got the next out and then left a pair of runners aboard in the fifth inning.

The Royals scratched out another run on Salvador Perez’s fielder’s choice before Brewers manager Craig Counsell lifted Chacin after 64 pitches. Dan Jennings got the final out of the sixth.

Hammel allowed five hits and a pair of walks over 6 2/3 innings. Eric Stout finished the seventh, then coughed up two runs in the eighth to cap his major league debut.

THUMBS DOWN

Brewers 1B Eric Thames went on the disabled list Wednesday after an MRI exam revealed a torn ligament in his left thumb. The slugger was hurt fielding a grounder on Tuesday night and left after the eighth inning. He’ll return to Milwaukee on Thursday to see team doctors and will likely have surgery soon. The Brewers hope to have him back in a couple of months.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: C Stephen Vogt (shoulder) left the club Wednesday for Arizona, where he will complete his throwing program in extended spring training. He could begin rehab games next week. … RHP Boone Logan (triceps) left for Double-A Biloxi to begin making rehab appearances.

Royals: The swelling in the right foot of RHP Ian Kennedy was down after he took a liner off it in the series opener. Kennedy left after the third inning Tuesday night but could make his next start Sunday.

UP NEXT

Kansas City plays the White Sox five times in the next four days, including a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. RHP Jakob Junis will start the series opener Thursday night.

Milwaukee RHP Chase Anderson will take the mound Thursday night against the Cubs in Chicago. After four games there, the Brewers will conclude a nine-game trip with three in Cincinnati.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lorenzo Cain spent seven seasons with the Kansas City Royals, winning two American League pennants and a World Series title while growing accustomed to the cheers of their adoring fans.

The jersey has changed. That love for Cain has not.

The affable outfielder homered and reached base four times in his return to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night, sending the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-2 victory over the Royals. And on several occasions, including his homer in the seventh inning, Cain was given a standing ovation.

“He should get a treatment like that. They had some special times here for sure,” said Brewers manager Craig Counsell, whose team has won seven straight. “Just a solid game setting the tone for us.”

Travis Shaw added a three-run homer for the Brewers, while Zach Davies (2-2) pitched six innings of four-hit ball. Ryan Braun had two hits, walked twice and drove in a run.

Matt Albers, Dan Jennings and Jeremy Jeffress combined for three scoreless innings of relief.

Just about the only negative for Milwaukee was a thumb injury for first baseman Eric Thames, who left in the ninth inning. Counsell said he would know the extent of the injury after tests on Wednesday.

“It’s a ligament issue we’re concerned about,” Counsell said.

Salvador Perez homered for Kansas City in his return from the disabled list, and Alex Gordon doubled and scored in his return from the DL, giving the slumping Royals their only offense.

“It’s nice to get their bats back in the lineup,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Ian Kennedy (1-3) left after allowing four runs over three shaky innings. He took a liner off his ankle in the third but finished the inning before leaving the game.

He had precautionary X-rays taken on his right foot that came back negative.

“We’re going to wear a boot to take pressure off of it the next 12 hours,” Kennedy said. “It’s a tiny little bone, but it means a lot. I’ve learned my lessons in the past, pitching through things that can affect your movements or your balance that makes a difference especially down the road.”

Cain walked and scored in the third and fifth before going deep off Burch Smith. He also made a couple of nifty grabs in center field, that familiar patch of turf he presided over for so many seasons.

Cain parlayed his success in Kansas City into an $80 million, five-year contract in free agency, returning to the club that drafted him in 2004 and eventually traded him in a deal for Zack Greinke.

“I’ve grown a lot,” Cain said. “Gotten a little older. Won a World Series, went to two. A lot happened since they traded for me. I’ve been thinking about this day for a while now.”

He was certainly remembered fondly by the Royals faithful.

Cain got his first standing ovation when he sprinted onto the field for warmups, then got another one when he stepped to bat in the first inning. And when he lined his third homer of the year to right to lead off the seventh, the crowd gave him another round of applause.

“It was cool. It was neat to get a warm welcome,” Davies said. “He was having fun with it.”

STATS AND STREAKS

Kennedy failed to record a strikeout for the first time in 273 appearances, the second-longest active streak in the majors.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: SS Orlando Arcia got the day off because of stomach pain, though his ailing ankle was fine. … LHP Boone Logan (left triceps strain) threw a simulated game without problems and will join Double-A Biloxi on a rehab assignment. … C Stephen Vogt (right shoulder strain) is headed to Arizona for at-bats in extended spring training. He could join a minor league club next week.

Royals: RHP Justin Grimm went on the DL with back tightness. It was part of a series of moves that included the activation of Perez (left knee strain) and Gordon (torn left hip labrum).

ROSTER MOVES

Brewers: C Manny Pina (right calf strain) was activated from the DL and C Jacob Nottingham was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Royals: C Cam Gallagher and OF Paulo Orlando were optioned to Triple-A Omaha, while LHP Eric Stout was recalled from the same club to provide some bullpen help.

UP NEXT

Brewers RHP Jhoulys Chacin moves up in the rotation to face Kansas City on Wednesday night, while RHP Chase Anderson will pitch Thursday against the Cubs. The Royals counter with RHP Jason Hammel.

— Associated Press —

DETROIT (AP) — Buck Farmer kept throwing changeups to Mike Moustakas, and the Kansas City slugger eventually adjusted.

“After the first three or four, I was starting sitting on it,” Moustakas said. “Finally, he ended up leaving one up, and I was able to get a good swing on it.”

Moustakas hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the seventh inning, and the Kansas City Royals outlasted the Detroit Tigers 8-5 on Sunday to earn a split of their four-game series.

Abraham Almonte hit a grand slam in the sixth to give the Royals a 5-2 lead, but Detroit tied it with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Kansas City took the lead again when Drew VerHagen (0-1) walked two batters in the seventh and Moustakas hit a drive to right off Farmer. It was the sixth pitch of the at-bat.

The Royals won for only the second time in 12 games, and Moustakas extended his hitting streak to 14.

Kevin McCarthy (1-0) became the first Kansas City reliever credited with a win this season, although that came after he let the lead slip away in the sixth. Brian Flynn pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Royals, and Kelvin Herrera worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Detroit starter Francisco Liriano took a no-hitter into the sixth before Whit Merrifield led off with a homer to left. With two on and one out, Alex Wilson came on in relief and walked his first batter to load the bases. Almonte followed with a drive to right for his second career grand slam .

“I came into a big spot and I didn’t do my job,” Wilson said. “There’s nothing puzzling about it — I made terrible pitches.”

Royals starter Eric Skoglund walked the first two hitters of the bottom of the sixth, then was relieved by McCarthy. Nicholas Castellanos greeted him with an RBI single, and an error by left fielder Paulo Orlando left men at second and third. One out later, JaCoby Jones hit an RBI single, and James McCann added a sacrifice fly to make it 5-all.

“It is frustrating that Frankie gave us a chance and our hitters got us right back into the game, but our bullpen couldn’t get the ball over the plate,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We had some guys who weren’t available today, so we were mixing and matching, but no matter who we bring in, we need them to throw the ball over the plate and get outs.”

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI groundout by Miguel Cabrera and a run-scoring single by Castellanos.

Castellanos had three hits.

BIG SERIES

Almonte had a big ninth-inning hit in a win Friday night, then added three more hits Saturday. He wrapped up the series in impressive fashion with his grand slam.

“I’ve been feeling better every game, every at-bat,” Almonte said. “I’m getting more confident, I’m seeing the ball better.”

STRONG HOMESTAND

Although they finished on a sour note, the Tigers went 5-3 on their homestand, averaging 6.4 runs a game.

“We need to keep playing the way we played this week,” leadoff hitter Leonys Martin said. “We’re not going to win every game, but we will give ourselves a chance. That’s all you do. Play 27 outs and make sure you have a chance.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez (left knee sprain) caught seven innings and went 3 for 4 with a homer Saturday night on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. He went 1 for 3 as a DH on Sunday. … OF Alex Gordon (left hip tear) went 1 for 2 with two walks Saturday and 1 for 3 on Sunday. “They’re close,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said.

UP NEXT

Both teams are off Monday. The Royals begin a two-game home series against Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Kansas City sends RHP Ian Kennedy (1-2) to the mound against RHP Zach Davies (1-2). Former Royals star Lorenzo Cain plays for the Brewers now after signing with Milwaukee in January.

The Tigers begin a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, with Detroit RHP Jordan Zimmermann (1-0) facing RHP Chad Kuhl (2-1).

— Associated Press —

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers came into this season well aware of how little was expected of them.

For now, they’re hanging around the .500 mark — and maybe, just maybe, starting to win over a few fans.

Nicholas Castellanos homered and drove in three runs, and the Tigers routed the Kansas City Royals 12-4 on Saturday. Detroit is a game under .500 after winning five of six. The Tigers broke a 3-all tie with three runs in the fifth on a day when both starting pitchers were in almost constant trouble.

“Everybody had a sheet on the chair, first day of spring training. One of the media guys, people printed that 2018 Tigers will stink,” said Castellanos, whose team lost 98 games last year. “All we’re doing is going out there trying to prove people wrong.”

Mike Fiers (2-1) allowed two earned runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings for the Tigers, and Royals starter Danny Duffy (0-3) yielded six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Warwick Saupold pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings for his first career save.

Abraham Almonte had three hits for Kansas City, which has lost 10 of 11. The Royals snapped a nine-game losing streak Friday night when they rallied in the ninth inning to salvage a split of a day-night doubleheader.

JaCoby Jones, whose home run won the first game of that doubleheader, went deep again for the Tigers on Saturday.

Castellanos finished a triple shy of the cycle. He opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first, and his two-run homer made it 3-1 in the third. The Tigers gave up two runs in the fourth, thanks in part to an error by catcher James McCann that loaded the bases with nobody out, but Detroit took the lead back for good in the fifth when Dixon Machado hit an RBI single with two outs to make it 4-3, chasing Duffy.

“He was really struggling to command his changeup, so he was grinding all day,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “When he loses that pitch, he’s only got his fastball and slider, and that means he has to be perfect with the slider. When he makes a mistake, like he does with Castellanos, it really hurts him.”

Reliever Tim Hill allowed a bunt single to Leonys Martin that loaded the bases in the fifth, then the left-hander walked Jeimer Candelario and Miguel Cabrera to force in two more runs.

Jones hit a solo shot in the sixth to give the Tigers a 7-4 lead, and Cabrera’s two-run single made it 9-4 in the seventh.

TOUGH CHALLENGE

Duffy was starting on short rest after pitching in a doubleheader Tuesday at Toronto.

“That wasn’t a problem at all. I felt better than I have on normal rest,” Duffy said. “It took a lot of preparation to get to that point, but I volunteered for that, and it didn’t bother me a bit.”

Duffy’s shaky outing, however, set the tone on a day when the Tigers had 16 hits and drew eight walks. Jose Iglesias had three hits for Detroit, raising his average to .206.

“It’s a good win for us,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “A good bounceback from last night.”

FALLING SHORT

The bunt single by Martin was the first hit allowed by Hill in eight major league appearances. He was one hitless appearance shy of tying the modern big league record, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau, distributed by the Royals.

Garry Rogenburk (1963) and Jonathan Sanchez (2006) went their first eight outings without allowing a hit.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Alex Gordon (left hip tear) played in the first game of his rehab assignment Friday, going 0 for 4 with a run for Triple-A Omaha. Salvador Perez (left knee sprain) went 1 for 4 in that game as a DH, and he was expected to catch Saturday night for Omaha.

UP NEXT

Detroit LHP Francisco Liriano (2-1) takes on Kansas City LHP Eric Skoglund (0-2) in Sunday’s series finale.

— Associated Press —