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Francoeur lifts Royals over O's

May 27, 2012 - 11:25 PM Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Jeff Francoeur belted a go-ahead solo shot in the sixth inning to lift the Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday from Camden Yards.

Humberto Quintero added an RBI double in the sixth while Billy Butler smacked a solo shot in the first as the Royals took the final two games of the series.

"They're a darn good team. I'm very impressed with their pitching. I'm very impressed with their offense," said Royals manager Ned Yost about the Orioles. "That's a good job for this team to come in here and take two out of three."

Tim Collins (2-0) got the victory after recording the final out of the fifth in relief of starter Luke Hochevar, who allowed two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits with six strikeouts.

Brian Matusz (4-5) surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and three walks over six innings to absorb the loss. Nick Markakis ripped an RBI double for the O's, who have lost five of their last seven.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the sixth, Francoeur put the visitors in front for good as he deposited a slider into the seats in left to start the frame.

Kansas City then added another run as Alcides Escobar slapped a one-out single before scoring on a double from Quintero to take a 4-2 advantage.

The Royals' bullpen stifled the O's offense, allowing just one baserunner over three frames before Jonathan Broxton worked around a two-out error in the ninth to record his 10th save of the season.

"I think it's more our inability to mount much offensively," remarked Orioles manager Buck Showalter about the lack of production. "We didn't do much after the fifth there."

Earlier in the game, Butler's solo blast with two outs in the first gave the Royals a 1-0 edge but Baltimore got one back in the bottom half as J.J. Hardy stroked a one-out single and came around to score on Markakis' double that snuck under the glove of a diving Mitch Maier in center field.

In the second, Francoeur ripped a leadoff single into center and moved to second as Adam Jones misplayed the ball.

Escobar then scorched a liner that went in-and-out of the glove of Robert Andino at second to put runners on the corners before the Royals employed the safety-squeeze as Maier bunted and Francoeur scurried home to give the visitors a 2-1 edge.

The O's re-tied the game in the fourth as Wilson Betemit worked a leadoff walk but was wiped off the basepaths on Andino's fielder's choice groundout.

Andino then swiped second and moved to third when Quintero's throw trickled into center field. Xavier Avery plated Andino with a single into right field, knotting the game at 2-2.

Game Notes

The Baltimore Orioles made Jones the richest player in club history, signing him to a six-year contract on Sunday worth a reported $85.5 million. Jones also extended his hit-streak to a career-best 18 games with a one-out double in the fifth...The O's went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base...The Royals went 1-for-8 with RISP while stranding seven.