Bruce Chen pitched three-hit ball over seven innings as the Kansas City Royals edged the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Saturday night at Safeco Field.

Kansas City scored both runs in the second. Mitch Maier singled to right and moved to third on Mike Aviles’ single. Chris Getz drove in Maier with a single and Aviles scored on Gregor Blanco’s fielder’s choice.

Chen (7-5) allowed Russell Branyan’s 14th homer in the fourth, but the Mariners got nothing else.

Chen had four strikeouts and no walks. Blake Wood pitched a perfect eighth while closer Joakim Soria earned his 31st save for the Royals, who will try to win the series Sunday afternoon.

Seattle starter David Pauley (0-4) allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss. He had four strikeouts and three walks. Pauley is winless in 10 career starts and 18 appearances.