There’s Still No Place Like Home for Royals

Too bad the Kansas City Royals have to go on the road. Then again, they’re playing great in every ballpark.

Joe Randa hit a go-ahead double in the sixth inning and the Royals beat the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, at Kansas City, Mo., Thursday to become the first team since 1987 to win its first 10 home games.

“This is awesome. It’s really something to be proud of,” said Chris George, who beat the Twins’ Brad Radke. “I wouldn’t say we feel invincible, but certainly confident.”

The Royals, who overcame a four-hitter by Radke (1-3), improved to 16-3 overall and are 13 games over .500 for the first time since the final day of the 1994 season.

Kansas City was 37-44 at home while losing a franchise-record 100 games last season. The Royals are the ninth team to start 10-0 at home, two shy of the major league record, set by the 1911 Detroit Tigers. They start a nine-game trip in Toronto Friday.

Oakland 2, Detroit 0 -- Mark Mulder (3-1) retired his first 13 batters and pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout since last June 12 to lead the Athletics at Oakland. Craig Monroe singled to shortstop and barely beat Miguel Tejada’s throw to break up the no-hit bid in the fifth.

Texas 16, Boston 5 -- Rafael Palmeiro and Juan Gonzalez both hit three-run homers and had three hits, and Carl Everett had a three-run triple for the Rangers at Arlington, Texas. Palmeiro’s 496th career homer, his sixth this season, was a 427-foot drive in the fifth that put the Rangers ahead, 13-5.

Baltimore 5, Chicago 4 -- Deivi Cruz and Gary Matthews Jr. homered in a three-run seventh as the Orioles rallied from a 4-2 deficit against Rick White and Tom Gordon (1-2) at Baltimore.

Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 3 -- The Blue Jays’ Tanyon Sturtze (3-1) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Seattle 4, Cleveland 2 -- Jamie Moyer pitched six strong innings to lead the Mariners to a three-game sweep at Seattle.