Mariners 6, Royals 1
Mariners 6, Royals 1: Jesus Montero homered and matched a career high with four RBIs, and Felix Hernandez tossed eight solid innings as visiting Seattle took three of four from Kansas City.
Montero also had an RBI single in the fifth inning, a run-scoring double off the left-field wall in the seventh and a sacrifice fly in the ninth for the Mariners, who handed the reeling Royals their 13th loss in 17 games.
Hernandez (8-5) played a substantial role in Kansas City's latest setback. The 2010 Cy Young Award winner, who has won four in a row, has yielded one run or less in five of his last six outings. Hernandez allowed one run on eight hits and struck out three Thursday.
Will Smith (1-3) was not as fortunate. Recalled from Triple-A Omaha prior to the game, Smith ran into immediate trouble in the second inning as Montero crushed his ninth homer to lead off the frame.
Michael Saunders had an RBI single and Brendan Ryan added a sacrifice fly to cap the three-run inning.
Smith yielded four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. This season, Smith has allowed 18 runs - including seven homers - in 20 1/3 innings.
Chris Getz had an RBI single in the fifth inning for the Royals.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Royals signed veteran C Jason Kendall to a minor league contract and assigned the 38-year-old to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. ... Kansas City continues it homestand on Friday by beginning a three-game set versus Minnesota. ... Seattle will finish up its seven-game road trip with three contests at Tampa Bay.