Eric Hosmer (R) gives Alex Gordon a forearm bash following Gordon's home run. (photo/MLB)

Eric Hosmer (R) gives Alex Gordon a forearm bash following Gordon’s home run. (photo/MLB)

Alex Gordon hit a three-run homer in that five-run fifth inning and he matched a career high with four RBIs, leading the Royals to a 7-3 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays in their series finale Wednesday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.  Nori Aoki, Johnny Giavotella and Billy Butler also drove in runs for the Royals. The Royals broke the game open with a five-run fifth off Jake Odorizzi (1-1), a former club prospect who was part of the blockbuster trade in 2012 that brought James Shields to KC.

Jeremy Guthrie (2-0) held the Rays to four hits over seven innings. The only run he allowed came on Desmond Jennings’ homer in the fourth.