Bruce Chen worked into the eighth inning for his career-best fourth consecutive victory as the Kansas City Royals prevailed 6-4 over the host Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Chen (9-5) humbled the Blue Jays, his only mistake coming on a Yunel Escobar three-run homer in the sixth. The crafty lefthander limited Toronto to three runs on four hits over 7 2/3 innings while equaling a career high with nine strikeouts.

He was given plenty of help as the Royals pounded out 16 hits against Toronto starter Brandon Morrow (9-8) and a pair of Blue Jays relievers. Rookie Eric Hosmer had three hits - including his 11th homer, Billy Butler also went deep and Jeff Francoeur added four hits.

Joakim Soria allowed a run in the ninth but earned his 23rd save.

Morrow was tagged for six runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings, his shortest outing in five starts. The hard-throwing righthander has lost three of his last four decisions.

Toronto second baseman Mike McCoy went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in place of Aaron Hill, who was traded to Arizona - along with backup infielder John McDonald - for second baseman Kelly Johnson earlier Tuesday.