Alex Gordon hit a three-run home run, Billy Butler added a contested solo shot and the Kansas City Royals avoided a three-game sweep with a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees. The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the ninth and made it 5-4 on Robinson Cano’s sacrifice fly. After a passed ball, Joakim Soria reloaded the bases by walking Nick Swisher. Then Jorge Posada, on his 40th birthday, took a called third strike to end it. The wobbly Soria got his 22nd save in 29 opportunities. The Yankees stranded 11 runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the first, third and ninth innings, and went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Yankees starter Bartolo Colon (8-7) was pulled after five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks.
