Harold Castro had a career-high four hits, including two in a seven-run third inning, as the Detroit Tigers pounded out 19 hits to defeat the Royals 12-8 in Kansas City.
The third inning included a Jeimer Candelario bases-clearing double and a Gordon Beckham two-run homer.
The Tigers snapped a five-game skid.
Brian Flynn, a late replacement for traded starter Homer Bailey, was roughed up for seven runs in two-plus innings to take the loss.
After avoiding a three-game sweep in KC, the Tigers now begin a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians.
Daniel Norris opposes Cleveland's Adam Plutko in the opener at Progressive Field. The Tigers are 29-and-59, putting them last in MLB's AL Central.
Also Sunday in Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blues Jays lost 4-2 to the New York Yankees.