Magglio Ordonez sparked an early offensive barrage with a two-run homer in the first inning and the visiting Detroit Tigers held on for a 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez, Andy Dirks and Brennan Boesch each drove in a run for Detroit, which won its third straight. The Tigers improved to 17-7 against the American League Central and won their fifth straight over Kansas City.

The Royals lost for the 14th time in 19 games. Kansas City, which has the worst record in the American League, is 4-12 in its last 16 home games.

The Tigers’ bullpen allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings in relief of Rick Porcello (8-6), who gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings and left with a 5-3 lead. Melky Cabrera’s RBI double cut the lead to 5-4 in the seventh before Phil Coke threw a perfect eighth and Jose Valverde escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his 23rd save in as many chances.

Detroit jumped out to a 5-2 lead after three innings against struggling righthander Kyle Davies (1-8), who suffered his seventh straight loss.