KANSAS CITY — Alex Gordon went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run and Leo Nunez combined with two relievers for a four-hitter as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Saturday night.
Gordon, who missed hitting for the cycle by a double, drove a 2-1 pitch from Dustin McGowan into the right-field fountains with Billy Butler aboard and one out in the sixth.
Nunez gave up one run and two hits in five innings. He matched a career-high with four strikeouts and walked three.
Nunez (2-0), who turns 24 on Tuesday, has allowed only one run in 11 innings in his past two starts, both wins, and lowered his overall ERA to 1.80.
Joakim Soria got the final four outs for his 13th save in 16 opportunities, but needed a bit of help from Joey Gathright to end the game. After Troy Glaus’s double, Aaron Hill drove a pitch to left that Gathright pulled in from above the outfield wall.
Soria tops all major league rookies in saves.
Zaun homered with two out in the fifth for the only Blue Jays run off Nunez.