SEATTLE -- Jason Vargas allowed three hits over seven innings and the Kansas Royals had 16 hits -- all singles -- in a 6-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Vargas (3-1), who pitched for the Mariners for four seasons (2009-12), struck out six without a walk. He is 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA in four career starts against his former team.

It also was the first road victory for Vargas, who signed a four-year, free-agent deal with the Royals in November.

Salvador Perez, Eric Gordon and Eric Hosmer had three hits each for the Royals while Nori Aoki and Lorenzo Cain had two each.

The Mariners have scored two runs and had 10 hits over the past three games.