Bo Bichette has 3-run triple, Yusei Kikuchi solid as Blue Jays beat Royals 5-3 for 7th win in 9

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bo Bichette had a bases-clearing triple, Daulton Varsho hit a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Monday night.

The Jays have won seven of nine. The Royals lost their third straight at home after winning their previous nine at Kauffman Stadium.

Yusei Kikuchi (2-1) was efficient early, allowing one baserunner on 48 pitches in the first five innings.

“(Kikuchi) was lights out early, he just ran into trouble on the sixth,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “That’s as efficient as I’ve ever seen him with his pitch count. He was attacking guys, getting weak contact and strikeouts.

"And (we got) huge hits from Bo and Varsho, obviously.”

Kikuchi allowed a two-run home run by Maikel Garcia in the sixth. With two outs, Vinnie Pasquantino hit an infield single and Salvador Perez followed with a double. But Kikuchi retired Nelson Velázquez on a grounder to end the threat.

“My fastball was working really well today,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “I was able to throw it up in the zone to a lot to those hitters.”

Right-hander Tyler Duffey, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Omaha earlier Monday, worked two scoreless innings in relief, striking out three.

Jordan Romano surrendered a homer by Kyle Isbel in the ninth but finished for his third save of the season and 100th of his career.

“That’s awesome for him,” Schneider said. “Knowing him for a long time and seeing him as a starter in the minors, a lot of credit goes to him. It’s not easy to do, whether it’s a three-run lead or a one-run lead. He’s been doing it for a number of years now. (I'm) really glad we won, but really happy for him. He’s actually turned himself into a pretty elite closer.”

Brady Singer (2-1) allowed five runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked three, all of whom scored.

“(Singer) was throwing harder at the beginning of the game,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He had some good movement on his two-seamer and in his breaking ball. He threw a couple four-seamers in there as well. But he really just got hurt by the walks.”

Singer struck out the first two Toronto batters in the second inning, becoming the 19th Royals pitcher to reach 500 career strikeouts. He tied Steve Busby as the fastest Royals pitcher to achieve the milestone, getting there in his 100th appearance.

“I'm fortunate enough to play this game, so it's really cool,” Singer said.

Singer issued two walks in the third that cost him. His free pass to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. loaded the bases, and Bichette lined a triple off the glove of center fielder Garrett Hampson to score three runs.

Varsho's homer in the sixth made it 5-0, and the Royals' two homers weren't enough.

“The homers are nice,” Quatraro said. “We just need to sustain some things and be able to score in other ways as well.”

TRANSACTIONS

Royals: LHP Anthony Veneziano was optioned to Omaha to make room for Duffey.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: RHP Alek Manoah, who has yet to pitch this season because of a shoulder injury, is scheduled to start for Triple-A Buffalo Wednesday or Thursday.

UP NEXT

The four-game series continues Tuesday with Toronto sending Kevin Gausman (0-2, 8.16 ERA) to the mound to face Michael Wacha (1-2, 3.75).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho (25) celebrates with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. runs home to score on a three-run triple hit by Bo Bichette during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals center fielder Garrett Hampson can't reach a three-run triple hit by Bo Bichette during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. runs home to score on a three-run triple hit by Bo Bichette during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette watches his three-run triple during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, April 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

PHOENIX (AP) — Joc Pederson hit a solo homer, Zac Gallen navigated six solid innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Friday night.

The D-backs have won three straight games and nine of 12.

Down 3-1 heading into the sixth, Arizona responded with three runs off Luis Ortiz and Carmen Mlodzinski.

Pederson started the inning with a homer that traveled 453 feet, deep into the seats in right. Gabriel Moreno singled home Christian Walker to tie it, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a wild pitch from Mlodzinski (2-4).

Pederson homered for the second straight game. The 32-year-old hit his 200th career homer in an 8-6 victory in Kansas City on Wednesday, which was another come-from-behind win.

“We're gritty," Pederson said. "That's what it takes to be a good team. Sometimes you get knocked down and you've got to get up, fight back and finish the game strong. Our team's doing a great job.”

The D-backs improved to 54-50, which is the first time they've been four games over .500 this season.

Gallen (8-5) pitched into the seventh, but was pulled after walking the first two batters of the inning. Kevin Ginkel wiggled out of the jam, striking out Andrew McCutchen and Oneil Cruz before Nick Gonzales grounded out.

Ryan Thompson threw a scoreless eighth and Paul Sewald worked the ninth for his 16th save. Gurriel finished with three hits — all singles.

“Just a hard-fought win against a good baseball team,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Those are the types of things we've been doing a lot lately. We hang in there, duke it out, find a little crack and then string together some good at-bats.”

Gallen gave up three runs on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.

“I know I've got to keep us in the game,” Gallen said. “We've been pretty great offensively. Just got to give our guys a chance to get us back in it.”

The Pirates scored two runs in the first after Joshua Palacios hit a bases-loaded single that scored McCutchen and Gonzales. Pittsburgh pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the second on McCutchen's RBI double into the right-center gap.

Ortiz gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out four. The Pirates were just 1 of 11 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

“We had strong at-bats but we didn't finish,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We had first and second in the seventh, then second and third in the eighth and did not have productive at-bats.”

The D-backs cut it to 3-1 in the third when Corbin Carroll led off the inning with a triple. He was brought home on All-Star Ketel Marte's sacrifice fly.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates 1B Rowdy Tellez (back spasms) left mid-game and was replaced by Connor Joe. The team said Tellez is day to day. Tellez was also hit by a pitch on the finger earlier in the game, but Shelton said that wasn't a problem.

UP NEXT

The D-backs start RHP Brandon Pfaadt (4-6, 3.74 ERA) on Saturday. The Pirates counter with LHP Marco Gonzalez (1-1, 2.70 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning during a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr., right, scores on a wild pitch in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reacts after hitting a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Rowdy Tellez reacts after getting hit with a pitch in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, center left, scores on a single hit by Ketel Marte in the third inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) talks to umpire Ben May, left, after striking out in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson celebrates with third base coach Tony Perezchica (21) after hitting a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)