Kansas City, Mo. ? Danny Duffy pitched six sharp innings to pick up his first victory in more than two months as the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-0, Friday night.

Duffy (3-4) shut down a Blue Jays offense, which leads the majors with 470 runs. He gave up four singles while walking three and hitting a batter to earn his first victory since beating Detroit on April 30.

The Royals have won six straight to improve to an American League-best 51-34.

Eric Hosmer went 4 for 4, his first four-hit game of the season and his eighth career game with at least four hits. Salvador Perez, Alex Rios and Alcides Escobar each had two hits and an RBI.

Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada (6-5), who did not allow a hit until the eighth inning in his previous two starts, gave up a season-high nine hits. He suffered his first loss since May 27.

The Blue Jays, 3-7 in July, dropped below .500 for the first time since June 8.

Rios’ double in the second scored Salvador Perez with the first run.

Escobar’s two-out fourth inning single brought home Rios to make it 2-0.

Perez homered, his 15th, in the eighth off reliever Ryan Tepera.

Duffy was in trouble only in the fourth when he walked Danny Valencia and Russell Martin singled to begin the inning, but Duffy retired the next three batters.

After Duffy exited, Royals relievers Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland completed the shutout. Holland struck out the side in the ninth for his 18th save in 20 opportunities.

Rain delayed the beginning of the game for 2 hours, 7 minutes.

Trainer’s room

Blue Jays: Rookie RHP Aaron Sanchez (strained right latissimus dorsi) will throw 50 pitches for Advance-A Dunedin (Florida) on Saturday. If all goes well, he will report to Triple-A Buffalo for a Thursday for a rehab start.

Royals: 3B Mike Moustakas was reinstated from the bereavement/family medical emergency list after missing four games. Moustakas went 0 for 4 in his return. INF Cheslor Cuthbert was optioned to Triple-A Omaha and will play in the Future’s All-Star game Sunday in Cincinnati.

Up next

Blue Jays: LHP Mark Buerhle, 4-1 in his past eight starts, will start Saturday.

Royals: RHP Chris Young will be working on three days for the fourth time in his career.