Thu Jul 3 22:45:55 2008

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Royals' offense heats up in Baltimore

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Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Mark Grudzielanek had four hits and Jose Guillen added three runs batted in, as the Kansas City Royals battered the Baltimore Orioles with a seven-run sixth inning to earn a 10-7 victory in the finale of a four-game set at Camden Yards.

Grudzielanek scored twice with an RBI and Guillen had two hits with a run scored. Billy Butler and Tony Pena Jr. each added two hits, an RBI and two runs scored in the win for Kansas City, which notched its second win in the last six games.

Joel Peralta (1-2), Ron Mahay and Joakim Soria, who recorded his 23rd save of the season, combined to toss six scoreless innings in relief.

Aubrey Huff hit a solo and two-run homer with a double in four at-bats and Adam Jones was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored for the Orioles, who split the series with the Royals. Adam Loewen (0-2) took the loss allowing three runs on three hits without retiring a batter in KC's seven-run sixth.

The Royals pummeled Oriole pitching for seven runs in the sixth. Guillen walked to start the frame and Butler smacked a double to right. Mark Teahen sent a bouncer to first two batters later that Kevin Millar couldn't handle, allowing Guillen to score.

Loewen entered for the O's, allowing Ross Gload to slap an RBI single to right. Pena loaded the bases with an infield single to deep short and David DeJesus stroked a single through the right side scoring one.

The call went out for submarine sidearmer Chad Bradford who allowed everyone to move on a game-tying RBI single to Grudzielanek and Alex Gordon put KC up one with a sacrifice fly. Guillen continued the hit parade with a two-run single in his second at-bat of the frame before Butler ended things with a ground out.

Baltimore managed only one baserunner over the final four frames.

Kansas City's Kyle Davies and Baltimore's Garret Olson each struggled in a starting role, with Davies charged for seven runs on eight hits in four innings while Olson gave up six runs - five earned - on eight hits in 5 1/3 frames.

Butler put KC on the board, leading off the second by sending a screamer over the left field wall for his second home run of the season.

The Royals extended their lead one inning later. Pena connected for his first home run of the season, just over the wall in left-center. Grudzielanek and Gordon strung together a pair of singles before Guillen plated a run with a line single to left.

Baltimore put together a five-run fourth to take the lead. Huff started things off with a solo shot over the scoreboard in right field. Ramon Hernandez followed with a single back through the middle, moved to second on a grounder and was delivered home on a looping single to left from Melvin Mora.

Millar drew a two-out walk and Jones delivered a triple over the head of an outstretched DeJesus in center. Brandon Fahey kept it going, turning on a fastball up in the zone and driving the pitch off the shelf between the wall and scoreboard in right for a triple.

Huff turned the trick again in the fifth sending his second homer of the game over the scoreboard in right, this time a two-run shot. Nick Markakis opened the frame with a single.

Game Notes

Baltimore has taken five of eight matchups from Kansas City this season...DeJesus tied a career-high by extending his hitting streak to 15- games with an RBI single in the sixth...Royals outfielder Joey Gathright was held out of action Thursday after pulling his shoulder out of place attempting an over-the-fence catch Wednesday night. Catcher John Buck, who took a foul tip to the groin Wednesday was also rested and rookie shortstop Mike Aviles sat for the first time in 24 games...Huff's multi-homer game was his second this year, having sent a pair out June 20 in Milwaukee. It was also the eighth time for his career...Kansas City ended Baltimore's run of nine consecutive series wins between the two with a split.