KANSAS CITY — Khalil Greene’s breakout return from the disabled list ended abruptly Friday night when a fifth-inning foul ball left the first-time third baseman with a contusion of the left foot.

Making his first start since May 26, Greene doubled in the second inning and returned in the third to slam his first home run since April 18. He walked in his final plate appearance before being replaced by Joe Thurston. His status for the remainder of the series is unknown as the Cardinals take a 10-2 lead over the Kansas City Royals into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Greene hit the last of the Cardinals’ three third-inning home runs. Earlier in the frame, right fielder Ryan Ludwick’s first career grand slam gave the Cardinals a 6-2 lead and allowed first baseman Albert Pujols to score his 1,000th career run.

Center fielder Colby Rasmus set a career high with four hits in only five innings. Second baseman Skip Schumaker singled three times in the first seven innings. The Cardinals needed only eight pitches to take a 1-0 lead against the Royals.

Greene’s two-hit game came in his first career appearance at third base. He received two chances at his new position and handled both cleanly.