Eric Hosmer hit a tiebreaking single off closer Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-7 Tuesday night. It was their second straight road victory in the four-game, two-city series.
Rookie Kolten Wong’s first career home run was a grand slam in the second that ended the Cardinals’ 20-inning scoreless drought and gave them an early four-run cushion. The defending National League champions finished a dismal 2-7 homestand when their pitchers faltered.
Alex Gordon’s three-run homer capped a six-run fifth for the Royals against Jaime Garcia that put them up by two. Kansas City starter James Shields also scuffled, surrendering five earned runs in 5 1-3 innings.
Greg Holland worked the ninth for his 16th save in 17 chances. The intrastate rivalry now shifts to Kansas City, the home team for the last two games of the interleague series that resumes Wednesday.
