NEW YORK (AP) - Jeremy Guthrie knew he wasn't at his best Monday. Still, the Kansas City starter didn't think he was this bad.
Guthrie gave up a career-high 11 runs and four homers while getting only three outs, and the Royals were routed by the New York Yankees 14-1 in the opener of a three-game series.
"Most of the damage they did was a credit to them," Guthrie said.
Brett Gardner and Brian McCann had three-run homers and Chase Headley added a two-run shot during an eight-run first inning to help end a six-game skid.
Stephen Drew added another three-run homer off Guthrie (4-3), a favorite foil of the Yankees, before New York made an out in the second.
Guthrie entered 5-10 with a 4.92 ERA against the Yankees, mostly with Baltimore. And this time he was awful. He faced 16 batters and 13 reached, with 11 scoring.
"He didn't have it," manager Ned Yost said. "They were just on everything he threw."
Guthrie, who started Game 7 of the World Series last year, became only the eighth pitcher to give up four homers before getting four outs, according to research going back to 1914 by STATS.
The right-hander also became the third starter to give up at least 11 runs while recording three outs or less, STATS said.
The Yankees were outscored 30-15 in being swept by the Rangers in a demoralizing three-game series. Their loss Sunday night dropped them to .500 for the first time since they were 7-7.
"It was nice because we've been through some tough losses, we've been through some ugly losses, and to be able to get that type of lead was really nice," manager Joe Girardi said.
They got that lead in a flash.
Gardner led off with a double on Guthrie's second pitch. Headley sent Guthrie's next offering deep into the right-field bleachers.
Alex Rodriguez singled and Mark Teixeira walked before McCann hit a liner to right that Paulo Orlando nearly caught with an impressive leap at the wall. Instead, the drive made it to the first row for a three-run homer.
After two outs, Didi Gregorius was hit by a pitch and Heathcott singled. Gardner then hit a three-run drive for the 8-0 lead.
"I don't know about good (pitches), but they were executed for the most part," Guthrie said. "But they did a very nice job and strung together all kinds of hits and did damage when guys were on."
Drew homered in the second. Guthrie just held the new ball out as manager Ned Yost walked to the mound to lift him.
Brandon Finnegan pitched a career-high three scoreless innings after being recalled from Triple-A earlier Monday. He'll likely be sent back to Omaha today to make room for Jason Vargas, who's going to come off the disabled list to make a start.
Nathan Eovaldi (4-1) pitched with runners on in all but two of his seven-plus innings. Working on five days' rest, he allowed eight hits and a run.
Slade Heathcott hit his first major league homer in the seventh for the Yankees, who won for just the second time in 12 games and beat the team that began the day with the best record in the majors.
Notes: Royals LHP Danny Duffy was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 17, because of left biceps tendinitis. He will be eligible for reinstatement June 1. ... OF Alex Rios (broken hand) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. ... First baseman Eric Hosmer and catcher Salvador Perez found themselves in unusual spots during this blowout. To start the bottom of the sixth Hosmer moved from first to right field and Perez, getting the day off, entered to play first base. It was Hosmer's fifth appearance in the outfield and first since Aug. 3, 2013. Perez played first one other time: Sept. 29, 2013. Closer Greg Holland entered in the seventh, and allowed Heathcott's homer. He hadn't pitched in 11 days. ... Royals starter and Princeton grad Chris Young turned 36. ... Vargas (strained flexor muscle) will come off the DL today and slide into Duffy's slot for his first action since May 5. Vargas is 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in eight games, seven starts, against New York. Vargas will be on a 75-pitch limit. Adam Warren of the Yankees is set to make his 12th career start and first against the Royals. His previous two starts were the longest of his career, seven and 61/3 innings. He lost both.