The Kansas City Royals rallied in the later innings and held off a ninth inning comeback to defeat the Seattle Mariners 8-6 Sunday afternoon in Kauffman Stadium.

Seattle struck first against Seth Lugo with a solo homer from Julio Rodriguez in the first inning. Kansas City would take the lead in the fifth inning after a two-run single from Salvador Perez. Carter Jensen added a two-run double to increase the lead to 4-1. The Royals added another run in the sixth thanks to a sac fly from Kyle Isbel.

Seattle scored a pair of runs in the seventh, chasing Lugo after six-and-a-third with three runs allowed on six hits and two walks.

Kansas City responded nicely, scoring another run on a Perez single in the seventh, and then two more in the eighth after a single from Maikel Garcia.

Seattle made it interesting in the ninth, scoring three runs off of Lucas Erceg, but Kansas City was able to hang on for the victory and the series win.

The Royals improve to 22-31, still fourth in the AL Central and nine games back of a red hot Cleveland team that has won eight of their last ten game. The Royals have another tough assignment ahead of them, as they host the New York Yankees Monday for the start of a three-game series. Michael Wacha will get the start against Will Warren. Pregame coverage begins at 2 p.m. ,with first pitch at 2:40 on KMMO FM 102.9.