Romero wins again, Lawrie steals home for Jays

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ricky Romero won his third straight start, Brett Lawrie stole home and drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Kansas City 5-3 Sunday, sending the Royals to their 10th straight loss.

The Royals have only six skids longer than 10 in franchise history. It is their longest losing streak since dropping 12 consecutive May 19- 30, 2008.

Romero (3-0), who is 11-2 in 17 starts since July 21, gave up two runs on five hits in eight innings to earn the victory. In winning his past three starts, Romero has allowed 16 hits and six runs over 22 1-3 innings.

The Blue Jays scored four runs in the fifth to chase Royals left-hander Danny Duffy. Lawrie's two-out single to right scored Yunel Escobar and Jose Bautista. Rajai Davis led off the inning with a double and scored on Escobar's single. Bautista, who walked three times, singled home J.P. Arencibia with the other run.

Duffy labored through 4 2-3 innings, throwing 113 pitches and walking five. He did not give up a hit until Ben Francisco singled with two outs in the fourth, but yielded four hits and two walks in the fifth while retiring only two.

The Royals cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning, which Jeff Francoeur and Mike Moustakas started with singles. Francoeur scored on an Alcides Escobar fielder's choice grounder, while Moustakas scored on Yunel Escobar's throwing error.

The Blue Jays added a run in the eighth, when Lawrie, who had walked and went to third on Arencibia's single, pulled off a double steal. Arencibia broke for second and catcher Humberto Quintero fired to second baseman Yuniesky Betancourt. Lawrie broke for home and beat Betancourt's throw to the plate.

Francisco Cordero gave up a run in the ninth, but logged his first save in his first opportunity. Cordero, who will serve as Toronto's closer with Sergio Santos going on the disabled list, collected his 328th career save.

Moustakas singled home Betancourt for the ninth inning run, but pinch-hitter Brayan Pena grounded into a game inning double play on the first pitch.

NOTES: Santos, who has been diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, will fly Monday to Los Angeles to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum. "We have a protocol for all our players and we'll follow it with Sergio," manager John Farrell said. .Bautista has 11 hits, but has drawn 14 walks. . A bone scan of Royals RHP Greg Holland revealed no stress fracture of his left rib, which has a stress reaction. Holland will be shut down for five days and likely be out three weeks. . The Royals have lost a club record 10 straight home games, dating to last season.