Royals rally to beat Cards 4-2, end 8-game skid

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Jeff Francoeur and Eric Hosmer combined for three RBIs in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Michael Wacha's almost spotless debut, snapping an eight-game losing streak with a soggy 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night.

Hall of Famer George Brett's debut as interim batting coach was a success and the Royals avoided a four-game sweep despite totaling just four hits in a marathon delayed an hour before the first pitch and another 4 hours, 32 minutes not long after the Royals took the lead with the bases loaded and none out in the top of the ninth.

It took 12 minutes to get the last six outs of a game that would have been a snappy 2 hours, 27 minutes without the rain.