Baltimore ? Erik Bedard wasn’t particularly sharp, and for a change it didn’t matter. Baltimore’s struggling offense provided the left-hander with an early lead, and Bedard managed to make the rare scoring outburst stand up.

Bedard allowed one run in six trying innings, and the Orioles used a 12-hit attack to beat the Kansas City Royals, 8-1, Friday night.

Baltimore led 4-0 after three innings, and Nick Markakis sealed the win with his first career grand slam in the eighth against Todd Wellemeyer.

“We had several chances throughout the ball game to blow it open, and we couldn’t seem to come up with it, but we persevered and Nick came through with a big hit for us,” manager Sam Perlozzo said.

The game was decided far earlier, when the Orioles took control against Brandon Duckworth by scoring twice in the first inning before adding runs in the second and third.

Bedard (2-1) allowed five hits, struck out nine and walked four. Most of his 102 pitches were curveballs.