Greinke earns first victory over AL team since May 26, leading Royals to 12-6 win over A’s

Greinke picks up 11th victory

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Zack Greinke earned his first win over an American League club since May 26, Mike Jacobs and Billy Butler each drove in three runs and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Oakland Athletics 12-6 Saturday night.

Butler had three doubles and every Royals starter had at least one hit and scored a run. Jacobs and Miguel Olivo hit back-to-back home runs in a four-run fourth.

Although Greinke (11-7) leads the league with a 2.43 ERA, he was 0-5 and the Royals were winless in his previous nine starts against AL teams. Greinke went seven innings and yielded three runs on seven hits to pick up his first victory since June 28 at Pittsburgh. He struck out five and ranks second in the AL with 167.

A’s right-hander Clayton Mortensen (0-1), who was making his first big league start, gave up eight runs on eight hits and three walks in four-plus innings, after striking out five of the first eight batters he faced.

Jacobs homered into the right-field fountains with Alberto Callaspo aboard in the four-run fourth. Olivo homered to center four pitches after later. The two share the club lead with 15 home runs. It was the fourth time this year the Royals have hit consecutive home runs. Jacobs also had a RBI single in the eighth.

David DeJesus’ sacrifice fly scored Alex Gordon with the other run in the fourth. DeJesus also contributed a RBI double in the third and scored on Butler’s sacrifice fly.

The Royals chased Mortensen, who was acquired July 24 from St. Louis as part of the Matt Holliday trade, in the fifth. Edgar Gonzalez replaced Mortensen after Butler led off the inning with a double and Mark Teahen had a bunt single. Callaspo had a RBI single and Teahen scored on a wild pitch.

Butler also added RBI doubles in the sixth and eighth innings. His three doubles give him 36, tied for second in the AL.

Greinke gave up all his runs in the second, including Mark Ellis’ two-run single. Adam Kennedy’s groundout scored Ryan Sweeney with the other run. Greinke allowed just three hits and no runner past second base after the second.

Ellis and Tommy Everidge homered in a three-run ninth off Joakim Soria. It was the second time in his career Soria had allowed two homers in a game.

NOTES: RHP Gil Meche, who is one of six Royals on the disabled list, threw 85 pitches in five innings Saturday in a minor league rehab start with Triple-A Omaha against Las Vegas. He allowed one run on three hits, walked three and struck out two. … The A’s started a rookie pitcher in eight consecutive games, which is the longest streak in club history. Mortensen became the 12th different starting pitcher used by the A’s this season. The dozen starters ties for the most in the majors. … The A’s placed LHP Dallas Braden on the disabled list with a left foot rash and recalled OF Aaron Cunningham, who was hitting .300 in 65 games with Triple-A Sacramento.