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Seven-run sixth propels Royals past Orioles

Jul 4, 2008 - 3:42 AM By Sean Burns PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Jose Guillen drove in three runs, including two with a single during a seven-run sixth inning, as the Kansas City Royals outslugged the Baltimore Orioles, 10-7, on Thursday.

Aubrey Huff homered twice for Baltimore, which took a short-lived 7-3 lead with a five-run fourth frame.

Kansas City responded by sending 11 hitters to the plate in the decisive sixth frame.

"It was good to get back in there, we had some great at-bats, moved guys station-to-station," said Kansas City manager Trey Hillman, whose team had just one extra-base hit in the rally. "We don't put too many seven spots up there."

The Royals battered Garrett Olson, Adam Loewen (0-2) and Chad Bradford for six hits and also took advantage of an error by first baseman Kevin Millar.

Guillen led off the inning with a walk against Olson and went to third on a double by Billy Butler. Olson struck out Miguel Olivo, but Millar booted a grounder by Mark Teahen that would have been the second out, allowing Guillen to score.

After the error, Ross Gload, Tony Pena Jr., David DeJesus and Mark Grudzielanek - who went 4-for-5 - delivered consecutive singles, tying the game at 7-7. Alex Gordon gave Kansas City the lead with a sacrifice fly and Guillen added some insurance with a two-run base hit to center for a 10-7 advantage.

"We need a couple more of those (innings)," Grudzielanek said. "But we got some good at-bats together and forced the ball up, then we hung on for the win. When you're on the road, you'll take the split any time."

"Big night for Huff. But obviously when you get ahead like we did and lose, its not something that is real comfortable with us," Oriole manager David Trembley said. "You have to give Kansas City credit. We gave them an opening and they took advantage of it and got a big inning. We gave them a leadoff walk and an error and they made us pay for it."

The rally made a winner of Joel Peralta (1-2), who allowed one hit in two innings after relieving an ineffective Kyle Davies. Ron Mahay tossed two scoreless frames before giving way to closer Joakim Soria, who worked a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 24 chances.

"When you come in (down several runs), its your job to keep your team in and give them a chance," said Peralta, who went from being down by four to being ahead by three runs between innings. "Our bullpen is really good. We don't give too many up when we're up once we go into the seventh and eighth, but it feels like I really got to help my team."

Kansas City took a 3-0 lead after three innings behind Davies - who retired 10 of the first 11 batters he faced - and solo home runs by Butler and Pena. Guillen also added an RBI single.

"We just got some chances to see the ball over the plate and capitalized on mistakes," Butler said.

Baltimore did all of its damage in the fourth and fifth innings. Huff, who also doubled in the first, started a five-run rally in the fourth with a solo blast and added a two-run shot in the fifth that marked the end of the night for Davies.

Rookie Adam Jones and Brandon Fahey hit RBI triples in the fifth for Baltimore.