aaron crow

Royals left fielder Alex Gordon hit two three-run homers, including one off Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez in the fifth inning, to give Kansas City an 8-6 victory and a split in the four-game series.

With their 5-3 win over the Royals, the Orioles (25-14) went 11 games over .500 for the first time this season and ensured their stay in first place in the American League East for the night.

Former Orioles top pick Matt Hobgood, who has battled ineffectiveness and injury in his brief pro career, will have right rotator-cuff surgery April 2 and is expected to miss all of the 2012 season.