Kansas City, Mo. ? Josh Phelps’ sixth-inning homer lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to a .500 record and knocked the Kansas City Royals down to second place.

Phelps hit a three-run homer, powering the Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory Sunday over the Royals and completing Toronto’s sweep of the three-game series.

The slumping Royals fell behind Minnesota in the AL Central. Kansas City has lost 15 of 23 after starting the season 16-3. The Blue Jays, who have won 12 of 16, are 22-22, the first time they’ve been even since April 11.

“It feels very good,” Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca said. “We’ve been pitching a lot better lately. That’s the key. We’re going to score some runs.”

The Blue Jays lead the American League with 263 runs scored.

The Royals’ loss coupled with Minnesota’s 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox dropped Kansas City a half-game behind the Twins. The Royals had been in first place for 41 games.

“We don’t play to be in first place in May, but in September,” Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney said. “The season is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Vernon Wells, who leads the AL with 27 extra-base hits, doubled with one out in the sixth, and Greg Myers reached on a fielder’s choice. Phelps then hit his sixth home run on a breaking ball to give Toronto a 4-1 lead.

Kelvim Escobar, who saved 38 games last season but had a 7.79 earned run average in 15 relief appearances this season, made his first start since Sept. 28, 2001.

Escobar, who had his fastball clocked at 99 mph Sunday, was on a limited pitch count and came out after three innings and 61 pitches. He allowed one run on two hits, walked three and struck out three before being replaced by Tanyon Sturtze.

Toronto's Carlos Delgado (25) is tagged out by Kansas City catcher Brent Mayne. Delgado bowled Mayne over trying to score, but Mayne held on to the ball to record the out. The Blue Jays beat the Royals, 4-3, Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.

“I was very pleased the way Escobar threw,” Tosca said. “I thought he threw

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the ball outstanding. His velocity was real good. He wanted to go back out there for another inning, but I didn’t want him to get sore.”

Sturtze, who made his first relief appearance since May 2, 2001, with Tampa Bay, earned the victory. Sturtze (4-4) allowed one run on two hits in 21/3 innings.

“It was one of my easiest wins, 21/3 innings,” Sturtze said. “I didn’t have to go six or seven innings for that one. We’re starting to show people now that we’re a pretty good team.”

Cliff Politte allowed Carlos Beltran’s first career pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth, but got Desi Relaford to foul out for his sixth save in eight opportunities.

“We’re going to be fine,” Beltran said. “We’re going to come out of this. We’re going to start playing good baseball, and the pitchers are going to start pitching good. And we’re going to be back in first place.”

Michael Tucker led off the Royals’ first with a double to left, stole third, and scored on Relaford’s ground out.

Carlos Delgado led off the second with a home run to center off rookie right-hander Kyle Snyder to get Toronto even at 1. Snyder (0-1) allowed four runs on eight hits in 61/3 innings.

Kansas City's Mendy Lopez walks off the field after striking out in the ninth inning. The Royals lost, 4-3, Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.

“Of course, I’m disappointed,” Snyder said. “Our main goal is to stay in first place, stay in contention. Nobody wants to be the losing pitcher on any day. It’s gut check time for us.”

Snyder gave up the home run to Phelps on the first pitch after a disputed play at first base in which umpire Ed Rapuano ruled Snyder missed the bag with his foot in what could have been an inning-ending double play.

“Absolutely not was my concentration affected by the call,” Snyder said.

The Royals got within 4-2 in the sixth when Ken Harvey’s double scored Sweeney, who had singled.

Notes: The Blue Jays have homered in a season-high 12 consecutive games with 21 in that span. … Royals C Brent Mayne has thrown out 11 of 23 base-stealers, a major league-best .458 percentage. … Beltran was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight day because of flu-like symptoms.