Toronto: Romero arms Blue Jays to win over KC





KANSAS CITY -- What started off as a duel between two lefty pitchers ended with another big inning for the Blue Jays.

Toronto starter Ricky Romero and Kansas City's Danny Duffy were nearly unhittable in the first four innings, combining to allow just three hits. But the Blue Jays got to Duffy in the fifth inning, scoring four runs and chasing him from the game en route to a 5-3 win.

Toronto has taken the first three of a four-game wraparound set at Kauffman Stadium.

Rajai Davis led off the big fifth with a double and stole third after J.P. Arencibia walked. Yunel Escobar singled through the right side of the infield to score Davis, and two batters later, Jose Bautista singled off the glove of diving Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar to extend the lead to 2-0. Arencibia scored from second and was safe at home on a great slide to avoid the tag by catcher Humberto Quintero.

Duffy intentionally walked Edwin Encarnacion to load the bases and got Colby Rasmus to strike out swinging for the third time in the game. But with two out, Brett Lawrie singled in two runs for a 4-0 Toronto lead.

Romero had his own trouble in the fifth.

With the bases loaded and none out, Alcides Escobar hit a ground ball to second baseman Omar Vizquel, who flipped it to Yunel Escobar for a force-out at second. Jeff Francoeur scored on the play. Yunel Escobar's throw to first was a wild one, though, flying past first baseman Encarnacion, allowing Mike Moustakas to score a second run. Quintero eventually returned to the dugout, and Romero induced two more ground balls to second base to end the inning without further damage.

The Blue Jays added an insurance run in the top of the eighth on a double steal. With Yunel Escobar at the plate, Arencibia broke to steal second base, and Brett Lawrie came home after the throw went to second. The throw back home didn't get there in time, and Lawrie scored to make it 5-2.

Romero earned his third win of the season, surrendering just the two runs on five hits in eight innings.

Interim closer Francisco Cordero allowed one run in the ninth, but worked out of a jam for his first save of the season.

The Royals' losing streak reached 10 -- including all nine home contests -- with the loss.

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