Kansas City, Mo. ? Jeremy Guthrie played a big role in the Royals’ postseason run last year, starting Game 7 of the World Series.

He very well could have started his last game of this season for Kansas City on Tuesday night.

The Seattle Mariners hit five home runs, four off Guthrie in 2 2-3 innings, as they romped past the slumping Royals, 11-2.

“I don’t make those decisions after games like this,” manager Ned Yost said when asked if Guthrie would start again. “We’ll sleep on in and talk about it tomorrow.”

Robinson Cano homered twice in the first three innings and drove in four runs, and Hisashi Iwakuma struck out a season-high 10.

The AL Central-leading Royals have dropped 12 of 17. Their magic number for clinching the division remained three.

Guthrie (8-8) was pulled after Brad Miller homered with one out in the third. Guthrie retired only seven of the 17 batters he faced, allowing nine runs on nine hits, four home runs.

“When he missed location, they didn’t miss it,” Yost said.

Guthrie is 1-3 with an 8.07 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break, allowing 58 hits, including 12 home runs, and walking 11 in 35 2-3 innings.

The 36-year-old Guthrie, who is eligible for free agency after this season, was making his first start since Aug. 18. He had pitched well out of the bullpen in his previous two appearances.

“I’m extremely disappointed,” Guthrie said. “I felt pretty good about the pitches I’ve thrown in recent outings and I was unable to do that tonight.”

Cano and Kyle Seager each hit solo homers in the first inning for Seattle, which has the league’s best record in September at 13-6 but is still three games under .500 (74-77). It was Seager’s 25th home run and his seventh in 23 games.

Cano hit a three-run shot in a seven-run third inning for his 15th career multihomer game. Cano’s next hit will be the 2,000th of his career.

Iwakuma (9-4), who is 7-2 in his past nine starts, curbed the Royals on three singles over seven scoreless innings. He has allowed one run and 10 hits in 13 innings in his past two starts, while striking out 19 and walking one.

Jesus Montero hit a two-run homer in the fourth off rookie right-hander Miguel Almonte for the final Seattle runs.

With Guthrie’s early departure and lopsided score, Yost wondered if he might have to use Jonny Gomes on the mound in the ninth inning, but rookie left-hander Scott Alexander prevented that by throwing three innings of one-hit ball.

“He did a great job,” Yost said. “He saved us from having to put a position player on the mound at that point.”

Alcides Escobar had three of the Royals’ hits, scored a run and drove in a run. Alex Rios doubled in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez, who exited in the sixth inning Sunday with elbow tightness, played catch Tuesday and said he would not miss a start.

Royals: RHP Greg Holland, with lingering elbow issues, was replaced by RHP Wade Davis as the closer. … 2B Omar Infante has a left oblique strain and is probably out two to four weeks. … SS Alcides Escobar returned after missing the previous two games with a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch Friday.

UP NEXT

Mariners: LHP Roenis Elias is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA in three career starts against Royals.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura has won eight of his past nine decisions.