MILWAUKEE— The Royals scored early, then held off the Brewers late to secure an 8-5 win on Monday night at Miller Park.

Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar -- both former Brewers -- played their part in roughing up starter Kyle Lohse for five runs in the first five innings before Milwaukee made things interesting by scoring three in the ninth off closer Greg Holland, who was lifted with runners on second and third and none out. Wade Davis came on to get three outs, starting with a strikeout of Ryan Braun, to deny Milwaukee from capturing its fifth consecutive series opener.

“That’s a big security blanket to have Wade down there,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “You have a six-run lead and you let down your guard. But Wade didn’t let that happen.”

The Royals extended their AL Central lead to 2 1/2 games with the win combined with the Twins’ 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

Cain essentially ended Lohse’s night with a two-run homer in the fifth, while Escobar got the Royals going in a three-run first inning, scoring a replay-aided run on Mike Moustakas’ single to center.

As for hitting a homer against his former team, Cain smiled and said, “It felt great.”

Escobar was less interested in the opponent and more concerned with the win.

“I try to play hard against all teams,” Escobar said.

Edinson Volquez got the win for the Royals -- he went five innings and gave up two hits.