KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the first and quite possibly the only time in his career, the Kansas City Royals have parlayed Billy Butlers plodding foot speed into a win. At 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, the burly DH does not run so much as he chugs. But with the game tied with two out in the eighth on Sunday, Butler hustled to first base to keep the inning alive. Then he hurried with all his might a few minutes later and was safe at third, allowing Eric Hosmer to cross the plate with the tiebreaking run in what turned into a 6-4 victory over Washington that snapped KCs seven-game losing streak. "All you can do is put the ball in play and dig. And thats what I did," Butler said with a grin. With two out and Hosmer on first and the game tied 4-all, Butler hit a hard grounder that first baseman Adam LaRoche knocked down. The ball rolled several feet to his right and when pitcher Craig Stammen was late to cover the bag, the slow-running Butler pulled into first with an infield single. "The pitchers supposed to get over there," Butler said. "They had to know I dont run very well. But all I could do was run, and I beat him after he didnt get off to a good start at first." Stammen then walked Mike Moustakas on fourth pitches and Salvador Perez hit a hard grounder to shortstop Ian Desmond. He bobbled the ball momentarily and his throw to third was late, allowing Hosmer to cross the plate on an infield single and making it possible for Royals manager Ned Yost to take a deep breath. "It seems like when youre going through those (losing) streaks, every decision you make doesnt work," Yost said. "Do I pinch run? (for Butler) Do I not pinch run? My heart kind of sunk there for a minute thinking as soon as it was hit and I see him going to third. But he ends up making it." David Loughs RBI single brought in the sixth run as the Nationals saw the end of a five-game road winning streak. Nationals manager Davey Johnson thought Butler should have been out at first, sending the teams into the ninth tied 4-4. "(LaRoche) bobbled the ball and then still had time to walk to first," Johnson said. "We should have got him out. With a ball hit right at him you can usually go to first." Kelvin Herrera (5-6) pitched 1 1-3 innings of relief for only the Royals third victory in 13 games. Stammen (7-6) took the loss and was part of a shaky defence. Greg Holland pitched the ninth for his 35th save in 37 opportunities, giving up two singles but striking out the side. Stammen went one inning, gave up three hits and two earned runs. Butler was not about to say the Royals were due a few good breaks. "This game never owes you anything. You cant be looking for breaks," he said. "You can just play the game hard and hope the ball falls on your side." Royals starter Ervin Santana was handed a 4-0 lead after the first inning but gave up three home runs, including Bryce Harpers two-run shot with two out in the seventh that tied it 4-all. Santana had a 4-1 lead and two out in the seventh when Denard Spans third hit of the day went for his third home run of the year. Ryan Zimmerman followed with a single, bringing a visit to the mound by Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland. Harper then hit Santanas next pitch over the fence in left-centre, bringing Herrera in from the bullpen. Washington starter Dan Haren entered the game 4-0 in six career starts in Kauffman Stadium and had never allowed more than two earned runs in K.C. But that quickly changed. On Harens third pitch, Alex Gordon hit the 11th leadoff home run of his career. After Emilio Bonifacio walked, Hosmer hit an RBI single. Hosmer was out trying to steal, then Moustakas singled and Perez homered for a 4-0 lead against Haren, who had been 4-2 since coming back from the DL on July 8. Haren was in danger again in the second and was saved by a standout double play started by LaRoche, who dove to his right to grab a line drive off Gordons bat. From his knees, LaRoche threw to second base to double off Alcides Escobar. After that, Haren allowed only two singles while going seven innings. He was charged with four runs and eight hits. In the Nationals fourth, Desmond homered for the second time in two games. The ball bounced off the facade of the Royals hall of fame behind left field and was estimated at 431 feet. Span drilled a ball off Santanas right hip with one out in the third, the ball bounding all the way into foul territory behind third base while Anthony Rendon went from second to third. But after testing the leg and visiting with the Royals trainer on the mound, Santana stayed in to strike out Zimmerman and retire Harper on a shallow fly. Santana was charged with four runs and 11 hits in 6 2-3 innings, with seven strikeouts and no walks. NOTES: Jayson Werth was back in the Nationals lineup at DH after sitting out one game with an infection in his right foot. ... Royals had a fifth straight losing season in interleague competition. ... The Royals face Tampa Bay on Monday to make up a game that was snowed out in May. ... The Nationals finished a 10-game trip to Chicago, Atlanta and Kansas City 6-4. Oscar Robertson Jersey . -- Jim Furyk was 10 shots worse and right where he wanted to be Saturday in the BMW Championship. Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks Jersey . All of 46 seconds into the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 victory over Alex Ovechkins struggling Washington Capitals, Crosby assisted on Chris Kunitzs goal. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/Pau-Gas...Edition-Jersey/. Western and the second-ranked Laval Rouge et Or (7-0) once again received 20 and 10 first-place votes from the Football Reporters of Canada panel, respectively. Rounding out the Top 10 are the Calgary Dinos (7-0), Queens Gaels (7-1), Guelph Gryphons (7-1), Montreal Carabins (5-2), Bishops Gaiters (5-2), McMaster Marauders (5-3), Manitoba Bisons (4-3) and the Saskatchewan Huskies (4-3) Western crushed York 50-10 last Saturday in its league finale to secure first place in the OUA standings and a bye in the first round of the conference playoffs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bucks Jersey . -- Jerome Williams glanced at Philadelphias schedule and realized he would be facing the Oakland Athletics yet again, with another new team. Pat Connaughton Bucks Jersey . There, I saw a teenaged boy with tears in his eyes, being consoled by strength and conditioning coach Randy Lee.In his preview for the latest round of Super League, Phil Clarke says Leeds have looked to be playing in the wrong division at times this season. The defending champions are at the bottom of the First Utility Super League standings, with three wins from 16 outings.Asked on Sky Sports News HQ if Leeds have a chance of making it into the top 8 with seven games remaining in the regular season, Clarke was not optimistic. Mathematically yes, realistically no, said the Sky Sports pundit.In their last three games theyve been embarrassed, it looks as though theyve played in the wrong division.Worryingly I think for Leeds, it looked for a period that theyd actually given up hope.I think their only hope from thiss point now is to go out and buy.dddddddddddd Ten years ago Wigan found themselves in a similar position and spent big to buy Stuart Fielden, arguably one of the best players in the world at the time.If Leeds want a quick turnaround, thats probably their only solution right now.Click on the video at the top of the page to watch Phil Clarkes preview for Round 17 of Super League, which kicks off with Wakefield v Hull KR on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports 3 from 7.30pm. Also See: Have your say on RL rules Sky Live: Wakefield v Hull KR Rugby League on Sky Fixtures and results ' ' '