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Greinke, Royals top Blue Jays

Apr 11, 2007 - 5:36 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Zach Greinke is making sure he never has to pitch in the minor leagues again.

The righthander pitched six strong innings and rookie Alex Gordon hit his first career home run to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Greinke (1-1), the Royals' No. 1 draft pick in 2002, spent most of last season pitching in the minor leagues with Class AA Wichita.

Against the Blue Jays, he showed the form that once made him one of Kansas City's top prospects, allowing one run, six hits and no walks while striking out five.

"I didn't really give them many pitches to hit," said Greinke, who credited his mental approach to the game for the success. "I'm just confident and always take the mentality that you're better then the hitter if you make your pitches. And I just feel like if I do that then I could get guys out and that's my mind-set."

Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons gave credit to the young Royals' starter.

"Greinke was the story tonight, he carved us up pretty good," Gibbons said. "He pitched a great ballgame and then their bullpen did a nice job, too."

Joel Peralta pitched the seventh inning for Kansas City and Joakim Soria recorded the final six outs, including two strikeouts, for his first save of the season.

Gordon's two-run homer came during a four-run sixth inning for Kansas City. It ended a 1-for-24 slump for the highly touted rookie.

"I know (Mike) Sweeney got on and I wanted to stay aggressive," Gordon said. "I got ahead of the count (1-0) and I saw fastball and just did what I could with it."

Tony Pena, Mark Grudzielanek and Mike Sweeney each drove in a run while David DeJesus had three hits and two runs for the Royals.

Toronto's Josh Towers (0-1) allowed six runs - three earned - and 10 hits while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings in his first start of the season. Toronto made three of its four errors behind Towers.

"I think I threw OK," Towers said. "I had some inconsistencies with the control and I couldn't get the leadoff guy out. I think that was the big thing of the day, but it was OK."

Gregg Zaun hit a two-run home run and Alex Rios had two hits and an RBI for the Blue Jays.

"I'm feeling better, a little better than I was feeling in spring training. I'm just going to keep working," said Rios who has now hit safely in all seven games this season.