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TOR@MIA: Cecil allows one run in six strong innings

The Royals dodged a bullet in Monday night's 11-3 win over the Blue Jays as starter Everett Teaford lasted seven innings -- allowing manager Ned Yost to save Vin Mazzaro for his scheduled start on Tuesday.

In his third start of the season and second since April 27, Teaford limited Toronto's high-powered offense over seven efficient innings to win the opener of a four-game series. More importantly, he kept Mazzaro on the bench.

"I'm going to do everything I can do not to use Vinnie," Yost said before Monday night's game. "It's a little bit tougher getting guys in here [to Toronto from the Minors], so I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Yost and the Royals don't need to worry about making a roster move before Tuesday's game at Rogers Centre. Mazzaro will make his second start since an ill-fated outing on June 22, when he allowed seven runs in 1 1/3 innings vs. the Cardinals.

The right-hander was relegated to the bullpen after that outing and made one appearance as a reliever, going 2 1/3 innings on Saturday against the Twins.

The Royals hope Mazzaro won't need to return to the 'pen after Tuesday, though he is 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA in his career against Toronto.

Despite losing Monday's contest by eight runs, the Blue Jays remain the only last place team in the Majors with more runs scored than allowed. At 40-40, Toronto is last in the American League East while scoring 21 more runs than its opponents.

However, the pitching staff has allowed 21 runs combined over the last two games.

"We have a very good offense and everyday team, and yet we are still looking for ways to gain consistency on the mound," manager John Farrell said.

The Blue Jays are 3-6 in their last nine games and will turn to Brett Cecil as they hope to avoid falling below .500.

Cecil will make his fourth start of the season, though he's been anything but consistent since returning from the Minors on June 15. The left-hander allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings in his last outing, a loss to the Angels on Thursday. In two starts prior, Cecil gave up a total of three runs in 11 innings.

Royals: Betancourt producing runs
• Yuniesky Betancourt drove in two runs in Monday's victory and scored two more, going 2-for-5 with a double and continuing his recent production at the plate.

The second baseman has been a driving force behind the Royals' offense in recent weeks, prompting Yost to move him to the No. 5 spot in his lineup.

Since June 17, Betancourt has 19 RBIs and 10 runs in 14 games to help Kansas City to an 8-6 record over that span. The only game Betancourt did not produce a run was on June 30 in a 5-1 loss to the Twins.

Blue Jays: Bautista homers again
• Jose Bautista crushed his Major League-leading 27th home run in the third inning on Monday, his first homer in July after a setting a franchise record with 14 in June.

Bautista received American League Player of the Month honors for June after hitting .271 with 30 RBIs and 24 runs in addition to his home run barrage. He also led all Major Leaguers with a .750 slugging percentage last month.

Bautista finished Monday's game 2-for-3 with a walk. He's 2-for-5 in his career vs. Mazzaro with two walks.

Worth noting
• Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind is 4-for-5 in his career against Mazzaro with one home run, two doubles and four RBIs.

• The visiting team has won all five games in the season series, with Toronto holding a 4-1 advantage.

• The Royals are 2-3 on their current three-city, 11-game road trip.

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