Royals 2, Indians 1
Zack Greinke pitched six solid innings while Yuniesky Betancourt and Wilson Betemit hit solo home runs to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
Gregor Blanco, Kila Ka'aihue and Betemit had two hits apiece for Kansas City, which moved one game ahead of the Indians and out of the American League Central basement.
Greinke (8-11) went six innings, striking out four and walking three. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner outdueled rookie right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, who was denied in his bid to remain perfect on the season.
Royals closer Joakim Soria worked around a leadoff hit in the ninth to register his 34th save of the season.
Gomez (3-1) blanked the Royals for four innings before surrendering Betancourt's fifth-inning blast and Betemit's dinger in the sixth. He allowed two runs on seven hits while walking three and fanning two.
Cleveland’s Travis Hafner had two hits and reached base four times in his second game back from the disabled list, but took a called third strike to end the game with the tying run on second base in the ninth.