Eugenio Suarez's three-run home run keyed a four-run seventh inning as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the host Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night for their fifth straight win.

Suarez was hitting just .176 prior to hitting his 17th home run of the season.

Vladimir Gutierrez (4-3) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings to earn the win. He walked two and struck out six.

Royals starter Mike Minor allowed one run on two hits in his first six innings.

However, Minor allowed Nick Castellanos' game-tying home run leading off the seventh and walked the next two batters, bringing his total to three and ending his night. Minor (6-7) wound up charged with four runs on three hits while striking out six. Reliever Kyle Zimmer gave up Suarez's homer on the first batter he faced.

The Reds grabbed the lead in the second inning after putting the first two batters on base. Tyler Stephenson led off with a double to left and moved to third on a single by Joey Votto. Suarez grounded into a double play, scoring Stephenson.

The Royals tied it in the third. Nicky Lopez led off with a double to right. Whit Merrifield flied to right, moving the runner to third, and Lopez scored on a double by Carlos Santana.

The Royals put the first two batters on base in the sixth on a walk to Santana and a single by Salvador Perez. Ryan O'Hearn lined out to right, but Jorge Soler ripped a double to the wall in left to score Santana -- Soler's first RBI in 18 games.

Tyler Naquin's RBI single in the ninth gave the Reds their sixth run.

--Field Level Media