Jeff Francoeur homered for the go-ahead run Sunday and Kansas City’s bullpen tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the Royals’ 4-2 win over Baltimore.
With the game tied 2-2 in the sixth, Francoeur lined a 1-2 pitch from Brian Matusz (4-5) just inside the left-field foul pole to put the Royals ahead for good.
Humberto Quintero added an RBI double later in the frame and the Royals went on to take the rubber match of a three-game set at Camden Yards.
Billy Butler also went deep and Mitch Maier added an RBI in the victory.
Tim Collins (2-0) induced Wilson Betemit to line out with two on and two out in the fifth, earning the victory in relief of starter Luke Hochevar.
Kelvin Herrera, Jose Mijares and Aaron Crow teamed up for two scoreless frames and Jonathan Broxton picked up his 10th save for the Royals.
Xavier Avery and Nick Markakis drove in runs for Baltimore, which fell into a first-place tie with Tampa Bay in the American League East with the loss.