Gil Meche pitched 5.2 innings and shortstop Mike Aviles had three hits and Jose Guillen added a home run as the Royals beat the Giants 5-3 to even their series.

While Meche didn’t make it past the sixth, he didn’t give up a hit until the fifth and gave up just one earned run while striking out seven.  Another good start for this rotation that is starting to come into its how. 

After the Giants cut the Royals lead to 3-2 following that two run sixth, Jose Guillen answered quickly in the bottom of the seventh, hitting his 12 th homer with one on and one out.  The bullpen held the Giants back allowing a run in the eighth, but Joakim Soria came in and closed the door in the ninth for his 19 th save while striking out two.