Indians 9, Royals 5
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jose Ramirez tripled and doubled among his three hits and scored three runs, while Carlos Santana drove in three as the Cleveland Indians topped the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Saturday night.
Cleveland is 28-17 since Aug. 7, when they were 10 games below .500. The victory moved them one-game above .500 at 78-77, matching their high-water mark for the season.
The Indians padded their lead with a three-run sixth, which included RBI singles by second baseman Jason Kipnis and shortstop Francisco Lindor. First baseman Carlos Santana got home the other run with a fielder's choice ground out.
Four Indians relievers shut out the Royals for 5 1/3 innings with Zach McAllister (4-4) credited with the victory. The Royals failed to get a hit after Indians starter Josh Tomlin was pulled.
The Royals and Toronto are tied for the best AL record at 89-65, with home-field advantage through the postseason at stake.
The Indians jumped on Royals right-hander Kris Medlen for six runs and nine hits, six of them for extra-bases, in 3 2/3 innings.
However, Tomlin was not much better, allowing five runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Santana's first-inning triple that scooted by right fielder Alex Rios scored Kipnis and Lindor.
The Indians added two more runs in the third. Third baseman Ramirez led off with a triple and scored on Lindor's sacrifice fly. Catcher Yan Gomes hit his 12th homer, with two outs.
Ramirez's double in the fourth scored left fielder Mike Aviles, who had singled. Ramirez motored to third on the throw home and scored on Medlen's wild pitch, making it 6-2.
Medlen failed to survive the inning. After he walked Lindor, Jeremy Guthrie replaced him.
Ben Zobrist homered in the first inning for Kansas City. Shortstop Alcides Escobar tripled with one out in the third and scored on left fielder Alex Gordon's single.
Tomlin was chased in the Royals' three-run fourth, which featured catcher Salvador Perez's two-run double. Escobar's single scored Perez, cutting the Indians' lead to one run.
That was manager Terry Francona's cue to pull Tomlin and summon McAllister from the bullpen.
Indians right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall was removed in the third inning with hamstring cramping and replaced by Jerry Sands.
NOTES: RHPs Corey Kluber (230) and Carlos Carrasco (211) are the first Indians teammates to reach the 200-strikeout plateau since Sam McDowell and Luis Tiant in 1967 and 1968. ... Manager Ned Yost started his varsity lineup Saturday after resting most of his regulars Friday, when the Royals were held to one hit by Carrasco. ... After the Chiefs practiced Saturday, coach Andy Reid praised the Royals and manager Ned Yost. "Phenomenal job, division champs, a beautiful thing," Reid said. The Chiefs play Monday night at Green Bay. ... Indians OF Michael Brantley missed his fourth straight game with a right shoulder injury. ... Indians RHP Danny Salazar and Royals RHP Chris Young are the Sunday probables. It will be the Royals' home finale.