DETROIT (Ticker) -- Runelvys Hernandez gave the Kansas City Royals a taste of what was missing last season.

Making his first start since August 16, 2003, Hernandez pitched seven strong innings to lead the Royals to a 7-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers .

Hernandez (1-0), who went 7-5 with a 4.61 ERA in 16 starts with Kansas City in 2003 before undergoing " Tommy John " surgery that September, allowed one earned run, five hits and three walks. He threw 100 pitches and struck out three batters before giving way to Mike Wood .

"I was pitching good," Hernandez said. "My slider was working, my change and my curve. I wasn't trying to throw too hard, either, but hit locations."

Without Hernandez last year, the Royals posted the worst ERA in the American League (5.15) en route to 104 losses.

The 26-year-old Hernandez allowed a run in the third inning but escaped further damage in that frame by retiring Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez with the bases loaded.

"If he keeps pitching like that, you'll see him pitching here in Detroit in July for the All-Star Game," Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney said. "He had great stuff today. But he's grown up a lot, too. In the past he used to be a little flashy and sometimes would tick off the opponents. But he's really grown up. He rehabbed for more than a year and he has a lot of fire in his heart."

Hernandez improved to 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA in six career starts in April.

Tony Graffanino matched a career-high with four hits and scored twice for the Royals, who pounded out 15 hits. Mark Teahen highlighted a three-run fourth inning with an RBI triple - his first major league hit.

"It was nice to see," Royals manager Tony Pena said. "When he got that first hit, you could see the relief on his face. And it was a good time for the hit. We expect a lot from our kids, and the more they relax the better they'll get."

Sweeney's second RBI single capped four straight two-out hits in the fourth inning to chase Tigers starter Mike Maroth and give the Royals a 5-1 lead. Maroth (0-1) surrendered five earned runs and 11 hits.

"It's hard to find a rhythm when you're behind hitters and you're letting the leadoff guy get on every inning," Maroth said.

Angel Berroa hit his first home run of the season off Jamie Walker in the eighth inning for the Royals, who suffered an 11-2 loss to the Tigers in Monday's opener.

"It was great, especially after the way they hit the ball around on Monday," Graffanino said. "We were happy to put Monday behind us and today we did the right things."

Dmitri Young , who homered three times and drove in five runs for the Tigers on Opening Day, legged out an RBI triple off Jeremy Affeldt in the ninth inning.

Ordonez left the game in favor of Bobby Higginson after experiencing dizziness in the fifth. Ordonez, who signed a five-year deal worth $75 million during the offseason, missed the last three games of spring training with diverticulitis.

"I just think his body is kind of worn down," Tigers manager Alan Trammell said of Ordonez, who is hitless in six at-bats this season. "I heard that he has some children that are sick. His system's a little weak. We'll see what happens, whether or not he plays tomorrow, we'll have to wait and see. I was told it was a little dizziness, lightheadedness."

Kyle Farnsworth struck out the side in the ninth inning in his debut with the Tigers, who have lost 15 of their last 24 home games against the Royals.