A split-squad Royals team picked up two wins on the day. In Fort Myers, Kansas City used a six-run eighth inning to pick up an 8-5 victory over Montreal, and in Pompano Beach, they outlasted Washington by a 5-2 count.

Kansas City’s slim 2-0 lead disappeared quickly as the Expos scored five runs on seven hits, all coming off Al Fitzmorris. But the Royals took advantage of Montreal pitcher Don Shaw’s wildness, drawing four walks and picking up three singles in the bottom of the eighth to take an 8-5 lead. Paul Splittorff sealed the win with a perfect ninth inning.

Royals starter Jon Warden and reliever Chris Zachary each pitched three scoreless innings; Zachary didn’t even allow a hit. Offensively, the Royals were led by Joe Foy’s two hits and two-run singles from Dennis Paepke and Scott Northey.

The rest of the Royals, playing on the road, were baffled by Washington starter Camilio Pascual, who retired all nine hitters he faced, five by strikeout. But Kansas City got to reliever Bill Dukes in the fifth for two runs. Then they added three runs in the seventh against Bill Gogolowski.

Kansas City pitchers Mike Hedlund and Tom Burgmeier combined for six scoreless innings.

Today’s birthdays: Benito Santiago (1965), Elliot Johnson (1984)