KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the New York Yankees for the second time in 10 tries, and run-starved Zack Greinke (1-6) went five innings for his first win in 15 starts.
It was also the Royals’ first win under new manager Buddy Bell.
Matt Stairs and Emil Brown each collected two hits against the Yankees, who have lost three in a row. They were under the direction of bench coach Joe Girardi while Joe Torre served a one-game suspension.
The Yankees, who had won six straight series openers, got the first two batters on base in the seventh. But Tony Womack’s grounder forced Derek Jeter at second and Mike Wood picked Womack off first. Reliever Andrew Sisco then retired pinch-hitter Gary Sheffield on a deep fly to center.
“He was quick, but I still can’t get picked off there,” Womack said. “I got picked off. That’s all there is to it.”
Kevin Brown (4-5) lost for the first time in five decisions as the major league-worst Royals (14-37) won a series opener for just the fourth time in 18 tries.
Greinke, winless since beating Detroit last Sept. 9, was removed after the fifth inning with a 5-3 lead. The right-hander, who had averaged only one run of support in his 10 starts, gave up three hits, including Hideki Matsui’s two-run home run. He walked three and struck out two.