Yankees rock Guthrie for 11 runs in blowout win over Royals

The New York Yankees wasted no time Monday putting their worst two-week stretch in 20 years behind them.

Chase Headley, Brian McCann, and Brett Gardner all homered off Kansas City Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie during an eight-run first inning on Memorial Day, helping the Yankees snap a six-game losing streak and setting the table for one of the worst outings for a starter in major-league history.

The first-inning barrage saw the Yankees send 13 men to the plate and produce seven hits, two walks, and a hit batter. They added to the damage in the second when Stephen Drew chased Guthrie with a three-run homer that put the Yankees up 11-0.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Guthrie's final line of 11 earned runs on nine hits in one completed inning of work marked just the second time in MLB history a starting pitcher has allowed that many runs while recording three outs or fewer. He's also the eighth pitcher to give up four homers before recording four outs, according to STATS.

"He didn't have it," manager Ned Yost said. "They were just on everything he threw."

Three pitchers - Hal Kelleher, Jason Jennings, and Bubba Harris - had previously surrendered at least 11 runs in one inning or fewer, but only Jennings did so as a starter. He gave up 11 in 0.2 innings as a member of the Houston Astros on July 29, 2007.

Guthrie, who was the Royals' Game 7 starter in the World Series last year, faced 16 batters. 13 reached base, with 11 of them scoring.

"Most of the damage they did was a credit to them," Guthrie told reporters.

Rookie outfielder Slade Heathcott joined the hit parade with his first career homer in the seventh, helping New York match a season-high five long balls in the 14-1 victory.

It marked just the second win in 12 games for the Yankees, who entered Monday's series opener on the heels of their worst 11-game stretch since 1995.

"To be able to get three three-run homers in the first two innings, it was nice," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've been through some tough losses."