Mariners 4, Royals 3: Rookie Jesus Montero continued his assault on Kansas City pitching with a two-run homer, and Kevin Millwood pitched 6 1/3 solid innings to snap a four-game losing streak as host Seattle hung on to defeat the Royals for the fourth straight time.

Montero went 2-for-3 and is 14-for-23 (.609) with two homers, 10 RBIs and seven runs scored in six games against the Royals in 2012.

The Mariners won for the ninth time in 13 games and are 6-1 against the Royals this season – all since July 15. Seattle also snapped a six-game losing streak in Millwood starts. Millwood (4-8) allowed an unearned run, six hits and struck out three.

Billy Butler went 3-for-3 – his fourth consecutive multi-hit game – with an RBI single in the first inning for the Royals, who lost for the 20th time in their last 26 games and are 3-13 in their last 16 on the road.

Royals starter Bruce Chen (7-9), who fell to 4-1 against Seattle, hasn’t won in six starts. He allowed three runs, seven hits and struck out five in seven innings.

After Casper Wells singled with one out in the third inning, Montero delivered a towering blast over the left field fence with two outs. Kyle Seager followed with a double after Kansas City’s Alex Gordon lost his fly ball in the sun and Miguel Olivo made the Royals pay with an RBI single to make it 3-1.

Alcides Escobar hit an RBI triple with one out in the eighth inning to bring the Royals to within a run before Brandon League retired Chris Getz on a groundout, intentionally walked Butler and got Yuniesky Betancourt to ground out.

Seattle restored its two-run lead on Mike Carp's sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Tom Wilhelmsen, whose wife is expecting the couple’s first child, allowed a two-out RBI triple to Lorenzo Cain in the ninth inning before retiring Alex Gordon on a groundout to earn his 13th save in 15 chances.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Former Mariners Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson were inducted into the team’s hall of fame prior to the game. … The Mariners have outscored the Royals 14-5 in the first three games of the series. … Butler is 11-for-28 against Millwood. … Seattle is 4-2 since trading Ichiro Suzuki. … Mariners RF Carlos Peguero, who is 1-for-17 since taking over for Ichiro, did not play. … Kansas City RF Jeff Francoeur went 1-for-4 and is 2-for-22 in the first six games of the Royals’ seven-game trip. … Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas left the game in the second inning with a right knee sprain.