KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Eric Hosmer went 5 for 5 with a three-run homer and Luis Mendoza got his first major league win in more than three years in the Kansas City Royals’ 10-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
Hosmer’s five-hit game was the first by a Royals player since Billy Butler on July 27, 2009.
Mendoza, the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year after going 12-5 with a league-best 2.18 ERA, held the Tigers to two runs, one unearned, and six hits in seven innings in his first big league appearance since April 19, 2010.
Mendoza (1-0) got his first major league victory since Aug. 3, 2008 while with the Texas Rangers, an 8-4 decision over Toronto.
Hosmer’s three-run homer off Brad Penny highlighted a six-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach. Perez homered with Mitch Maier aboard the next inning after fouling off five consecutive pitches from Duane Below.
Alex Gordon started the bottom of the first with his fifth leadoff homer of the year.
Penny (10-11) allowed seven runs on 10 hits in four innings to lose for the first time since Aug. 28.
Austin Jackson’s double in the fifth scored Andy Dirks with the first Detroit run. Ramon Santiago, who reached on second baseman Johnny Giavotella’s error, scored on Delmon Young’s sacrifice fly in the seventh for the other Tigers run.

NOTES — While the Tigers have clinched the AL Central, manager Jim Leyland said his club is “still fighting for home-field advantage” for the playoffs. ... Leyland said he would rest 1B Miguel Cabrera Wednesday. “He deserves it,” Leyland said. “We’re going to get home late and he’ll play the rest of the way out.” ... Butler was scratched from the Royals lineup with the flu. Maier replaced him, making his first career start at DH. ... Royals closer RHP Joakim Soria remains sidelined with a strained right hamstring. He has not pitched since Sept. 11. ... RHP Felipe Paulino will make his third start against the Tigers on Wednesday. He is 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA against Detroit. The Tigers will start right-hander Max Scherzer, who went to the University of Missouri and was the 2005 Big 12 Conference pitcher of the year as a sophomore.