Salazar Ks 9, Naquin hits first homer as Indians cruise past Royals 6-1

CLEVELAND (AP) Danny Salazar allowed one run and struck out nine in eight innings, and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Friday night

Yan Gomes homered in the second and Tyler Naquin hit his first major league home run in the seventh for the Indians.

Salazar (6-3) held Kansas City to three hits and was in command, other than giving up Drew Butera's leadoff homer in the third. The right-hander has allowed two runs or less in nine of his 11 starts.

The Indians have won four of five over the defending World Series champions and trail the AL Central-leading Royals by a half-game.

Francisco Lindor's RBI single in the third off Edinson Volquez (5-5) broke a 1-all tie and sparked a three-run rally. Mike Napoli followed with an RBI double while the third run scored on Volquez's wild pitch.