Yankees Fall to Royals

Jeremy Guthrie neatly handled a nemesis and a long rain delay to pitch into the seventh inning, Billy Butler homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-1 Monday night.

All-Star Alex Gordon, David Lough and Johnny Giavotella each had RBI doubles, and Alcides Escobar added a run-scoring triple to help the Royals end a five-game skid against New York.

Guthrie (8-6) held the Yankees to just three hits over six innings that included a 59-minute delay for a sun shower-hailstorm in the fourth.

Leading 5-1, closer Greg Holland was needed in the ninth when Lyle Overbay walked and Luis Cruz singled to start the inning against Luke Hochevar. Holland gave up a hit to Chris Stewart to load the bases. But Holland struck out Eduardo Nunez, Brett Gardner and Zoilo Almonte to end it for his 21st save.

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