Everett Teaford pitched five shutout innings in his first major-league start to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory over the host Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Alex Gordon drove in both runs as the Royals gained a split of the four-game series.

Teaford (1-0) gave up three hits, one walk and struck out five in his first start after 23 relief appearances. Blake Wood relived Teaford and struck out four in two perfect innings.

Joakim Soria allowed a two-out single in the ninth to Justin Smoak before retiring Miguel Olivo on a fly to left for his 28th save.

Gordon knocked in Alcides Escobar with a two-out double in the third inning and delivered a one-out double off the base of the left-field wall in the seventh that plated Brayan Pena.

Ichiro Suzuki had a run-scoring double in the eighth for Seattle’s run.

Seattle starter Anthony Vasquez (1-3) gave up one run and seven hits in six innings.

Sunday’s national anthem was performed by the 56th Army Band Joint Base Lewis-McChord as part of the 9/11 pregame festivities.