Royals 4, Mets 3 (12): Justin Maxwell drilled a pinch-hit home run to lead off the 12th inning and visiting Kansas City leveled the interleague series at one game apiece.

Maxwell, acquired from Houston earlier this week at the trade deadline, jumped on a high fastball from David Aardsma (2-1) and rifled it down the left-field line for his fifth career pinch-hit blast, ending a stretch of five perfect innings by New York's bullpen and lifting the Royals to their 10th win in 11 games.

Kelvin Herrera (4-5) struck out three in three hitless innings and closer Greg Holland worked a perfect 12th for his 29th save in 31 chances - and 22nd straight conversion - as Kansas City improved to 7-1 on its current nine game road trip.

George Kottaras clubbed a solo homer, his fifth, to ignite a three-run rally in the third inning for the Royals, who got three hits and an RBI single from Miguel Tejada and a sacrifice fly by Alex Gordon.

Daniel Murphy homered and Josh Satin delivered a tying two-run single in the eighth inning for the Mets, who won Friday's series opener in 11 innings after Aardsma blew the save. Royals left-hander Bruce Chen struck out a season-high eight and allowed one run on four hits over six innings while Mets starter Jeremy Hefner was charged with three runs on eight hits in six innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: As expected, the Mets placed captain and 3B David Wright on the 15-day disabled list after he underwent an MRI exam on Saturday that revealed a right hamstring strain suffered in Friday's game. The team promoted OF Mike Baxter from Triple-A Las Vegas to take the roster spot of Wright, who is expected to be sidelined for 2-to-4 weeks. He is batting .309 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs. ... Royals LHP Tim Collins rejoined the club after missing one game to visit his ailing grandfather and retired the only batter he faced to end the seventh inning. ... Mets closer Bobby Parnell remained unavailable for a fourth straight game due to neck discomfort, which is being treated with medication to relax the muscles.