KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The second time around definitely was the charm for the Detroit Tigers ' Mike Maroth .

Maroth yielded one run in 7 2/3 innings as the Tigers posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season, recording a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals .

"It was a pretty good ballgame all the way around," Detroit manager Alan Trammell said. "Mike was outstanding, working fast, throwing strikes, one walk. That was by far his best game of the season."

"You try and get that first one (win) out of the way as early as you can and you can move on," said Maroth, who lost 21 games in 2003. "It was more important for our team to put together back-to-back wins and try to get a little momentum. Everybody got to play behind me in today's game and there were some great plays."

In his season debut against the Royals on April 6, Maroth (1-1) surrendered five runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 7-2 loss. In this one, he scattered five hits and issued one walk.

"In that game, I had trouble getting all my pitches over the plate and got behind hitters," said Maroth about his previous outing against Kansas City. "This time I was able to get ahead of hitters, especially with that four-run inning that put us up. It gave me an opportunity to go right at hitters and make them put the ball in play."

Ivan Rodriguez supplied all the offense that Maroth needed, collecting three hits and driving in three runs.

"I felt pretty good at the plate, and I'm starting to see the ball and stay back on the ball a little bit," Rodriguez said. "I'm starting to see everything the right way."

The former American League Most Valuable Player started a four-run third inning with a two-run double and hit his first home run of the season in the ninth.

"The third was a tough inning," Royals manager Tony Pena said. "They had two bunts and were able to score some runs."

Detroit's Nook Logan began the third with a bunt single and advanced to third after second baseman Ruben Gotay unleashed an errant throw on a bunt hit by Brandon Inge . After Carlos Guillen flied out, Rodriguez doubled and then scored two batters later on a single by Rondell White .

Kansas City starter Runelvys Hernandez (1-2) struggled, allowing five runs and 10 hits in five innings.

"I wasn't able to throw my slider for strikes," said Hernandez, who had his shortest outing of the season. "I lost my concentration in the third inning and that's where we lost the game."

Eli Marrero homered in the seventh inning for the Royals, who have lost four of their last five games.