KANSAS CITY— Eric Hosmer blasted a three-run homer and the Royals survived a shaky start from Edinson Volquez to hold off the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, on Thursday in a game that’s start was delayed two hours and 17 minutes by rain.

Hosmer’s homer came during a four-run first inning off American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who fell to 0-5. Kluber gave up seven hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

“They’ve got a lot of guys hot and they’re swinging with confidence,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “That’s a tough lineup.”

Volquez breezed through a 1-2-3 first before he totally lost his command, primarily because he developed a painful blister on his throwing thumb (he is not expected to miss a start). Volquez walked two hitters in the second inning and then four in the third before manager Ned Yost pulled him with the Royals up, 4-3.

The Royals, though, got six strong innings from their bullpen, the last frame coming from closer Greg Holland, just off the disabled list. Franklin Morales got the win with two shutout innings.

“Holly looks like he never went on the disabled list,” Yost said. “And Morales was fantastic.”

Carlos Santana homered for Cleveland in the seventh, the only run off the Royals’ bullpen.