Melky sets club record for March/April hits

KANSAS CITY -- With his fifth-inning triple on Tuesday, Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera set a franchise record for most hits in March/April with 40.

Cabrera had been tied with Shannon Stewart and Shea Hillenbrand, who each had 39 March/April hits in 2001 and '05, respectively. Cabrera's RBI triple off Royals left-hander Jason Vargas was an opposite-field drive over the head of right fielder Nori Aoki. Cabrera added another hit in the seventh to give him 41, but the Royals rallied for a 10-7 victory in the series opener.

Blue Jays hitting coach Kevin Seitzer worked with Cabrera in Kansas City in 2011 when Cabrera logged 201 hits.

"It's the same swing that Melky had back then," Seitzer said. "He really understands how to be successful as a hitter."

Cabrera has had at least one hit in 25 of the 26 games the Blue Jays have played this season.