KANSAS CITY — The Royals jumped out to an early nine-run lead, and their 4-5-6 hitters had six hits and seven RBIs for the night in an 11-5 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

Hunter Dozier had two hits and three RBIs, Jorge Soler had three hits and two RBIs and Alex Gordon logged two hits and two RBIs to lead the offensive assault. Whit Merrifield had a three-hit night, giving him 500 career hits.

And rookie Nicky Lopez, making his Major League debut, got his first Major League hit, an RBI single in the seventh.