NEW YORK — By the fifth inning, the Kansas City Royals were on their fourth pitcher, en route to an 8-3 shellacking at the hands of the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.
Royals left-handed starter Will Smith (0-1, 13.50 ERA) made his major league debut, and gave up five runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings.
The Yankees (23-21, 14-11 home) got the bats going early and often. Center fielder Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run, and third baseman Alex Rodriguez followed with a two-run jack to give New York a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
In the third, Rodriguez hit his second HR of the night, a solo blast to make it 5-0.
Royals designated hitter Billy Butler hit his ninth HR of the season, and CF Mitch Maier hit a solo shot in the fifth to cut the lead to 5-2.
Yankees starter Andy Pettitte (2-1, 2.53 ERA) pitched lights out, giving up two runs on seven hits in 7 innings, striking out eight and walking one.
The Royals (17-26, 12-9 away) take a day off on Thursday before they visit the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game series on Friday.
