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Cain leads Brewers in return to KC

The Milwaukee Brewers’ Travis Shaw, right, celebrates with teammate Lorenzo Cain after Shaw hit a three-run homer during the third inning against the Royals on Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. Milwaukee went on for a 5-2 victory. (AP photo)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lorenzo Cain spent seven seasons with the Kansas City Royals, winning two American League pennants and a World Series title while growing accustomed to the cheers of their adoring fans.

The jersey has changed. That love for Cain has not.

The affable outfielder homered and reached base four times in his return to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night, sending the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-2 victory over the Royals. And on several occasions, including his homer in the seventh inning, Cain was given a standing ovation.

“He should get a treatment like that. They had some special times here for sure,” said Brewers manager Craig Counsell, whose team has won seven straight. “Just a solid game setting the tone for us.”

Travis Shaw added a three-run homer for the Brewers, while Zach Davies (2-2) pitched six innings of four-hit ball. Ryan Braun had two hits, walked twice and drove in a run.

The Milwaukee Brewers' Travis Shaw celebrates as he crosses the plate after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of a against the Royals on Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. (AP photo)

Matt Albers, Dan Jennings and Jeremy Jeffress combined for three scoreless innings of relief.

Just about the only negative for Milwaukee was a thumb injury for first baseman Eric Thames, who left in the ninth inning. Counsell said he would know the extent of the injury after tests today.

“It’s a ligament issue we’re concerned about,” Counsell said.

Salvador Perez homered for Kansas City in his return from the disabled list, and Alex Gordon doubled and scored in his return from the DL, giving the slumping Royals their only offense.

“It’s nice to get their bats back in the lineup,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Ian Kennedy (1-3) left after allowing four runs over three shaky innings. He took a liner off his ankle in the third but finished the inning before leaving the game.

He had precautionary X-rays taken on his right foot that came back negative.

“We’re going to wear a boot to take pressure off of it the next 12 hours,” Kennedy said. “It’s a tiny little bone, but it means a lot. I’ve learned my lessons in the past, pitching through things that can affect your movements or your balance that makes a difference especially down the road.”

Cain walked and scored in the third and fifth before going deep off Burch Smith. He also made a couple of nifty grabs in center field, a familiar patch of turf he presided over for so long.

Cain parlayed his success in Kansas City into an $80 million, five-year contract in free agency, returning to the club that drafted him in 2004 and eventually traded him in a deal for Zack Greinke.

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