Duffy is Royals’ winning ingredient against Jays

KANSAS CITY — It’s a simple formula: When Danny Duffy starts, the Royals generally win.

They won for the eighth straight time when Duffy starts — a 4-2 hard-earned win over the Blue Jays on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals now are 13-3 overall this season in Duffy’s starts.

Eric Hosmer delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth.

The Blue Jays fell a half-game behind the first-place Orioles in the American League East, pending the outcome of the White Sox-O’s game.

Duffy threw 101 pitches, 65 for strikes, and he gave up five hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out six over 6 2/3 strong innings. Peter Moylan turned in 1 1/3 shutout innings, and closer Kelvin Herrera registered his fourth save.

Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez gave up nine hits and four runs in his six innings. He walked one and struck out three.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDClutch hit for Hoz: The Royals entered the game hitting .222 with two out and runners in scoring position. But Hosmer delivered a big two-run single in a three-run fifth inning. The Royals loaded the bases on singles by Alex Gordon, Paulo Orlando and Raul Mondesi, the last a bunt. Alcides Escobar’s infield hit scored a run, but Cheslor Cuthbert popped out and Lorenzo Cain grounded into a fielder’s choice, forcing Orlando at home. But Hosmer followed with a two-run single to right-center.

Deja Blue: In Friday’s series opener, it took the Blue Jays four pitches to post their first run of the game. One day later, they needed just five. For the second …

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