Hosmer's 5 hits sink Tigers

Detroit still keeping hope of home-field advantage

Detroit Tigers' Austin Jackson (14) is caught stealing second base by Kansas City Royals second baseman Johnny Giavotella during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS CITY -- Eric Hosmer went 5 for 5 with a three-run homer, and Luis Mendoza got his first major league win in more than three years in the Kansas City Royals' 10-2 win last night over the Detroit Tigers.

Hosmer's five-hit game was the first by a Royals player since Billy Butler on July 27, 2009.

Mendoza, the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year after going 12-5 with a league-best 2.18 ERA, held the Tigers to two runs, one unearned, and six hits in seven innings in his first big league appearance since April 19, 2010.

Mendoza (1-0) got his first major league victory since Aug. 3, 2008 while with the Texas Rangers, an 8-4 decision over Toronto.

Hosmer's three-run homer off Brad Penny highlighted a six-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach.

Perez homered with Mitch Maier aboard the next inning after fouling off five consecutive pitches from Duane Below.

Alex Gordon started the bottom of the first with his fifth leadoff homer of the year.

Penny (10-11) allowed seven runs on 10 hits in four innings to lose for the first time since Aug. 28.

Austin Jackson's double in the fifth scored Andy Dirks with the first Detroit run.

Ramon Santiago, who reached on second baseman Johnny Giavotella's error, scored on Delmon Young's sacrifice fly in the seventh for the other Tigers run.