photo by: Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles' Stevie Wilkerson (12) scores behind Kansas City Royals catcher Nick Dini, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Kansas City, Mo. — Local product John Means won back home with seven strong innings, Hanser Alberto got a career-high five hits and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Kansas City Royals 14-2 on Friday night.

Pedro Severino had four of the Orioles’ 21 hits in their highest-scoring game of the season. Jonathan Villar stole three bases, including a swipe of home when the Royals tried to pick him off third base.

Jorge Soler hit his 38th home run, tying the Royals record set by Mike Moustakas in 2017.

Means (10-9) matched a career high for innings. The All-Star lefty gave up two runs and five hits, walking none and striking out four.

Means was activated from the family medical emergency list prior to the game. He was put on the list last weekend and returned to the Kansas City area — the team had said it was a private matter.

Before the game, manager Brandon Hyde said the timing was good for Means — from a Kansas City suburb — to return.

“The fortunate part was that he was able to come home,” Hyde said. “It just happened to work out that we were coming here. It’s his day to pitch and he gets the opportunity to pitch in front of numerous family members and friends. So it’s pretty cool.”

Means was a high school teammate of Royals center fielder Bubba Starling — Starling doubled his first time up, then fouled out in his other at-bats against Means.

Soler hit a solo drive in the first, his 10th home run in August.

Anthony Santander hit a three-run homer that put the Orioles up 4-1 in the third. Severino added his second RBI single of the game, driving in Villar with a fly ball that dropped between three fielders.

Eric Skoglund (0-1) gave up six runs on nine hits and three walks in four innings.

Royals left fielder Alex Gordon pitched for the second time in five games. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth.

Trainer’s room

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list for Sunday’s start against the Orioles. Duffy has been on the IL since Aug. 8 with a left hamstring strain. Duffy’s last rehab start was Aug. 25 with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and it was enough to convince him he’s ready. “That was a test, and I passed. I’m looking forward to sharpening a little bit more and getting that pitch count a little bit higher.” SS Adalberto Mondesi may be activated Sunday as well when rosters can be expanded. Mondesi has been on the IL since July 17 with a left shoulder subluxation.

Up next

Orioles: RHP Dylan Bundy (6-13, 4.98 ERA) starts for Baltimore.

Royals: RHP Jorge Lopez (2-7, 6.56 ERA) allowed one run on two hits in five innings against the Orioles in Baltimore on Aug. 19.