Gordon homers after RBI hit-by-pitch
All-Star starter goes deep in 4th, 12th plunking of season yielded RBI in 2nd
KANSAS CITY -- Royals left fielder Alex Gordon, voted in by the fans as a starter for the All-Star Game, was plunked on his right hand with a pitch from Tampa Bay's Matt Moore in the second inning on Tuesday afternoon during Kansas City's 9-5 victory in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader at Kauffman Stadium.
The hit-by-pitch came with the bases loaded in the second inning and forced in the Royals' first run of a three-run inning. Gordon then hit a solo homer, his 11th of the season, to tie the score at 4 in the fourth inning.
Video: TB@KC: Gordon ties the game with a monster solo shot
Gordon, who underwent surgery on his right wrist in December, could be seen clenching his hand as he slowly took his base while the tying run crossed home plate.
Gordon has been hit an American League-high 12 times this season. He is second in the Majors behind the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, who has been hit 17 times.
Gordon finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
As for concerns about his wrist, manager Ned Yost said the ball got Gordon "pretty good" on the hand, but the manager did not express concern for Gordon given his performance for the rest of Game 1.
Gordon matched his season high of three hits for the third time this season. He recorded two RBIs to give him 510 for his career, which moved him past Willie Wilson for 10th place all-time in franchise history.