Royals 2, Rangers 1: Salvador Perez ripped a go-ahead RBI single with two outs in the eighth inning as host Kansas City defeated Texas for the second straight night.

Norichika Aoki plated Alcides Escobar in the third inning with the first of his two doubles for the Royals, who improved to 4-4 on their nine-game homestand and remained a half-game ahead of second-place Detroit in the American League Central. Jeremy Guthrie settled for a no-decision despite allowing one run on eight hits in seven innings.

Rangers left-hander Derek Holland received the same fate after permitting one run on six hits in seven frames while making his debut following offseason knee surgery. Alex Rios had three hits and Rougned Odor scored on Daniel Robertson's groundout in the fifth for the Rangers, who have dropped four in a row.

Jarrod Dyson reached on a fielder's choice in the eighth inning and promptly stole second and third base. Alex Gordon was hit by a pitch by Michael Kirkman (0-1) to put runners on the corners and Perez greeted Jon Edwards by lining a single that handcuffed third baseman Adrian Beltre to score Dyson.

Jason Frasor (4-1) picked up the win after recording the final two outs of the eighth. Aaron Crow worked around a two-out single in the ninth to secure his third save of the season and sixth career while making his first appearance since Aug. 24.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Texas set an Major League Baseball record for most players used in a season with Holland taking the mound. The injured-riddled Rangers have used 60 players, snapping a tie with Cleveland (2002) and San Diego (2002, 2008). ... With his RBI double, Aoki improved to 13-for-32 with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break. ... Kansas City OF Josh Willingham sat out his second straight contest with a balky back.