The Royals' bullpen had been nearly infallible for a while -- a 0.51 ERA in the past five games and zero blown saves since July 7.
However, that was not the case on Tuesday night.

Reliever David Riske, who was trusted with a one-run lead and two runners on base in the sixth, surrendered a three-run homer to Gerald Laird as the Royals lost to the Rangers, 5-3, to open a nine-game, nine-day, three-city trip.

Right-hander Kyle Davies had limited the Rangers to one run and five hits in the first five innings, but allowed three straight hits -- a Marlon Byrd double and singles to Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz -- and a run to open the sixth.

Riske then faced Laird, who promptly hit his second pitch over the left-field fence and just fair for a three-run homer.

Davies, who was making his third start since the Royals acquired him in a July 31 trade deadline with the Braves, worked five-plus innings and was charged with four runs on eight hits, while striking out seven, one shy of his career high.

Kevin Millwood, who had lost his three previous starts, held the Royals to three runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk over seven innings, while striking out nine, to pick up the victory.

The Royals took advantage of two errors -- fielding and throwing -- by Rangers first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the top of the sixth to score two unearned runs. Mark Grudzielanek and Billy Butler, who had both singled, scored on the errors.

Butler's first inning two-out single scored Grudzielanek, who had doubled, with the only other run off Millwood.

The Royals threatened in the eighth, loading the bases on walks to Grudzielanek and Butler and pinch-hitter Esteban German was hit by a pitch. C.J. Wilson, however, struck out Alex Gordon to end the inning.


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