Royals Sweep Pirates

Andrew Benintendi hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 10-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

Salvador Perez had two homers and three RBI to help the Royals sweep the two-game series. Brady Singer (3-4) allowed five runs — four earned — and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Wil Crowe (0-4) took the loss. He gave up eight runs and eight hits in four-plus innings.

Benintendi’s grand slam capped a five-run fifth.

SS Adalberto Mondesi was not in the starting lineup after coming out of Monday’s game with a “tweaked” left hamstring.

Following an off day on Wednesday, LHP Kris Bubic (1-0, 1.52 ERA) will face the Twins for the second straight start, this time in Kansas City on Thursday.

 

First place Chicago leads the AL Central by 2 1/2 games over Cleveland, the third place Royals are five games out.