Royals fall to Indians 9-5, now tied with Blue Jays at 89-65

By foxsports
Published

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Carlos Santana drove in three runs, Yan Gomes homered and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 Saturday night to move above .500 for the first time since April 9.

The Indians (77-76) have a winning record for the first time since they were 2-1 and remain three games back in the AL wild-card race. The Royals, who wrapped up the AL Central title with a victory Thursday, fell to 9-15 in September.

They no longer control their own destiny for home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. With the loss and Toronto's victory over Tampa Bay, the Blue Jays and Royals share the AL's best record at 89-65. However, Toronto holds the tiebreaker by beating Kansas City in the season series.

Indians relievers Zach McAllister (4-4), Jeff Manship, Kyle Crockett and Bryan Shaw held the Royals hitless over the final 5 1/3 innings.

Santana hit a two-run triple in the first and drove home another run in the three-run sixth with a fielder's choice grounder.

Gomes homered in the third. Jose Ramirez went 3 for 5 with a double and triple. He scored three runs and drove in another.

Rookie Francisco Lindor had two hits, a sacrifice fly, drove in a pair of runs and scored a run.

Royals right-hander Kris Medlen (5-2) was pulled after 3 2/3 innings, yielding six runs on nine hits, including six for extra bases, a walk and a wild pitch.

Indians starter Josh Tomlin also failed to make it through five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits.

Ben Zobrist homered for the Royals, while Salvador Perez contributed a two-run double.

Royals left-handed reliever Franklin Morales gave up hits to the only two batters he faced and both scored in the sixth. Morales has retired only one of the past seven batters he has faced.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: RF Lonnie Chisenhall suffered hamstring cramps beating out an infield single in the third and was removed. ... OF Michael Brantley (right shoulder injury) missed his fourth straight game. ... 3B Giovanny Urshela (right shoulder injury) will be re-examined Monday in Cleveland.

Royals: DH Kendrys Morales was hit by a pitch in the right foot in the eighth inning and after being checked out by a trainer, Paulo Orlando ran for him.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Danny Salazar will be making his fourth start this season against the Royals. He is 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA in the first three.

Royals: RHP Chris Young will make his 17th start, but his first since July 28.