KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jeff Francis pitched seven strong innings and rookie Eric Hosmer drove in two runs in a five-run third as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 on Tuesday night.
Alex Gordon and Chris Getz both had three hits for the Royals, who won for only the fourth time in 17 games. Jeff Francoeur drove in two runs and leads the Royals with 32 RBIs.
Francis (2-5) threw 35 pitches in the first inning and allowed two runs and four hits before settling down and making it through seven innings, while throwing a season-high 114 pitches.
Getz’s bunt single with one out ignited the Royals’ third inning. Joel Pineiro (2-2) could have gotten out of the inning without a run, but his throwing error to second base on Alcides Escobar’s comebacker allowed Getz to move to third.
Gordon and Melky Cabrera contributed RBI singles, while Hosmer’s double to left scored both. Billy Butler’s two-out single scored Hosmer.
The Angels took a 2-0 lead with Erick Aybar opening the game with a double to right that Francoeur could not find in the sun. Aybar stopped at third on Maicer Izturis’ single. After one out, Alberto Callaspo and Mark Trumbo had run-producing singles.
The Royals added runs in the fifth and seventh innings with Francoeur driving in both. Francoeur’s two-out single in the fifth scored Hosmer, who had singled and stole second. In the seventh, Francoeur’s sacrifice fly scored Gordon.
Jeff Mathis’ double in the sixth scored Peter Bourjos, who had a bunt single and stole second, for the other Angels run.
Francis, who is 2-0 in his past three starts after going winless in his first eight, allowed three runs, eight hits and two walks.
Piniero allowed six runs, four earned, and nine hits, striking out one and walking none.
Blake Wood followed Francis with two scoreless innings, striking out three.

NOTES — Angels OF Vernon Wells, who went on the DL May 10 with a strained right groin, could be close to going on a minor league rehab assignment. “His workout today was exceptional,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s running at 100 percent. It was a beautiful thing to see.” RHP Felipe Paulino, who was acquired last week from Colorado, will make his first start for the Royals on Wednesday. He will become the eighth starter used by the Royals this season. C Bobby Wilson was the Angels DH for the first time this season.