Big inning helps Orioles stave off Royals, 9-7

The Baltimore Orioles used a seven-run second inning to escape with a 9-7 win over the host Kansas City Royals on Saturday night to even their series.

Corbin Burnes delivered five shutout innings before coming apart in the sixth.

Burnes (3-0) recovered from being pelted by a sharp first-inning grounder from Royals leadoff hitter Maikel Garcia to limit Kansas City to two singles over the first five innings. No runners passed first base until Garcia's one-out double in the sixth.

Burnes exited with two out in the sixth after surrendering a three-run homer to Salvador Perez, his sixth. Burnes allowed three runs on four hits and a walk, striking out four.

Perez finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs.

The Orioles built a 7-0 lead in the second, forcing 49 pitches from Cole Ragans (0-2) while sending 12 batters to the plate. Ragans allowed seven runs on nine hits while recording five outs -- four by strikeout.

Jordan Westburg opened the second inning with a single and then capped the seven-run outburst with a two-run single. Ramon Urias and Anthony Santander each contributed RBI doubles.

It was the Orioles' most productive inning since scoring nine in the sixth inning against the Angels on March 30.

Kansas City sent 10 batters to the plate in the seventh, scoring four, highlighted by Perez's two-run single. Yennier Cano struck out Nelson Velazquez with the bases loaded to preserve a one-run lead.

Santander's third double of the game provided an eighth-inning insurance run. Each Orioles' starter had at least one of their 15 hits.

Craig Kimbrel, Baltimore's sixth reliever of the game, pitched a hitless ninth for his fifth save and 422nd of his career, matching Billy Wagner for seventh in career saves.

Seven runs allowed are the most for Ragans in any inning and matched a career game high.

It was the first time in 17 career starts for Kansas City that Ragans had not pitched at least five innings and was the shortest outing of the year for Royals starters, whose 12 quality starts lead the American League.