Every Mariners starter had at least one hit. Jesus Montero went 3 for 4 and drove in two runs.

Smoak homered with Montero aboard in the three-run first inning. It was the second straight game Smoak homered in the first. Montero's double scored Casper Wells with the first run.

Saunders homered in the fifth inning off Vin Mazzaro after Miguel Olivo singled.

The Mariners scored three more runs in the second inning to chase left-hander Ryan Verdugo, who was making his big league debut. Kyle Seager doubled home two runs, while Montero singled in the other run.

Blake Beaven (4-6), who was just recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, worked six-plus innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. He logged his first victory since May 30 after going 0-2 with a 15.43 ERA in two June starts, which merited a demotion to the Pacific Coast League.

Verdugo (0-1) yielded six runs on eight hits and two walks in 1 2-3 innings.

Tim Wilhelmsen worked a spotless ninth for his eighth save in 10 opportunities. Wilhelmsen has not allowed a run in 23 innings over his past 19 games.

Lorenzo Cain hit a two-run pinch-hit homer in the seventh off Mariners reliever Shawn Kelley to cut the lead to 9-6.

Jarrod Dyson and Alex Gordon hit back-to-back triples in Kansas City's three-run third.

The Royals have lost 12 of 15 to fall a season-low 13 games below .500. They are 15-27 at Kauffman Stadium, the worst home record in the majors.

NOTES: Mariners LHP Charlie Furbush retired the only batter he faced in the seventh, but left with left triceps tightness. .The Royals designated for assignment LHP Jonathan Sanchez, who was 1-6 with a 7.76 ERA, and optioned OF Jason Bourgeois to Triple-A Omaha. .The Mariners optioned RHP Steve Delabar, who was 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA in 30 relief appearances, to Triple-A Tacoma. . LHP Bruce Chen, who is 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA and his lone big league save in 11 career outings against the Mariners, will start Wednesday for the Royals. Chen's former Braves teammate, RHP Kevin Millwood, will start for Seattle.